GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

George Washington National Forest

April 2011

Updated February 2013

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - i APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

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F - ii FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………….1 2.0 Species Diversity………………………………………………………………………………………………1 2.1 Ecosystem Context for Species……………...……………………………………………………..…………1 2.2 Identification and Screening of Species……………………………………………………….……………2 3.0 Threatened and Endangered Species …………………………………………………………………3 3.1 Threatened and Endangered Species List…………..…………………………………………..…………3 3.2 Threatened and Endangered Species Descriptions and Needed Plan Components ………4 3.2.1 Indiana Bat………………………………………………………………………………………………...………4 3.2.2 Virginia Big-Eared Bat……………………………………………………………………………………….15 3.2.3 Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel..………………………………………………. …….18 3.2.4 James Spinymussel ………………………………………………………………………………………….22 3.2.5 Madison Cave Isopod……………………………………………………………………………….………..26 3.2.6 Shale Barren Rock Cress……………………………………………………………………………..…..…28 3.2.7 Smooth Cone Flower……………………………………………………………………………………..…..32 3.2.8 Virginia Sneezeweed……………………………………………………….……………………..……….…33 3.2.9 Swamp Pink ……………………………………………………………….……………………….……………36 3.2.10 Northeastern Bulrush…………………………………………………………………………..………..….37 3.3 Threatened and Endangered Species Summary of Plan Components ……………….…………40 4.0 Other Species Addressed……………………………………………………………………..……..…..41 4.1 Species list…………………………………………………………………………………………………..………41 4.2 Species Groups…………………………………………………………………………………………..….…….41 4.2.1 Alkaline Glade and Barren Associates ...... 43 4.2.2 Calciphile Associates ...... 43 4.2.3 Cave Associates ...... 45 4.2.4 Cavity Tree, Den Tree and Snag Associates ...... 46 4.2.5 Cliff, Talus and Large Rock Outcrop Associates ...... 46 4.2.6 Cove Forest Associates ...... 47 4.2.7 Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Associates ...... 47 4.2.8 Hard and Soft Mast Associates ...... 48 4.2.9 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates ...... 49 4.2.10 Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest Associates ...... 50 4.2. 11 Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Associates ...... 51 4.2.12 Lepidopterans ...... 51 4.2.13 Mafic Rock Associates ...... 52 4.2.14 Species Needing Occurrence Protection ...... 52 4.2.15 Open Area Associates ...... 54 4.2.15a Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands Associates ...... 54

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4.2.15.b Area Sensitive Grasslands Associates ...... 55 4.2.15.c Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodland Associates ...... 55 4.2.15.d Grassland Associates ...... 55 4.2.15.e High Elevation Opening (Grassy Or Shrubby) or Open Woodland Associates ...... 56 4.2.15.f Shrubland Associates ...... 57 4.2.15.g Regenerating Forest Associates...... 58 4.2.15.h Open Woodland Associates ...... 58 4.2.16 Riparian Area Associates ...... 59 4.2.17 Ruderal Associates ...... 63 4.2.18 Sandstone Glades and Barrens Associates ...... 64 4.2.19 Species Sensitive to Over-Collection ...... 64 4.2.20 Species Sensitive to Recreational Traffic ...... 64 4.2.21 Shale Barren Associates ...... 65 4.2.22 Species with Habitat in Special Biologic Areas ...... 66 5.0 Effects of Alternatives on Species…………………………………………………………………………69 6.0 Plan Components Needed for Species Diversity……………………………………………………82 6.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………..….82 6.2 Species Groups Covered by Ecosystem Diversity Plan Components.…………………………82 6.3.1 Calciphile Associates ...... 83 6.3.2 Cavity Tree, Den Tree and Snag Associates ...... 83 6.3.3 Cliff, Talus and Rock Outcrop Associates ...... 84 6.3.4 Hard and Soft Mast Associates ...... 85 6.3.5 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates ...... 85 6.3.6 Lepidopterans ...... 85 6.3.7 Species Needing Occurrence Protection ...... 86 6.3.8 Open Area Associates ...... 86 6.3.9 Ruderal Associates ...... 87 6.3.10 Sandstone Glades and Barrens Associates ...... 87 6.3.11 Species Sensitive to Over-Collection ...... 87 6.3.12 Species Sensitive to Recreational Traffic ...... 87 6.3.13 Species with Habitat in Special Biologic Areas ...... 88 Literature Cited………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………89 Appendix F-1. Species Not Carried Forward into the Ecological Sustainability Analysis Appendix F-2. Species Groups by Individual Species Appendix F-3. Species Stresses and Threats and Forest Plan Strategies

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Planning for ecological sustainability is an iterative two-stage process that involves first providing for a diversity of ecosystems and then by developing additional direction to meet the biological needs of specific species or species groups. Most plant and animal species will be sustained by managing for a diversity of ecosystems in the Plan area. However, additional provisions may be needed to help provide ecological conditions for specific species such as federally listed threatened and endangered (T&E) species, sensitive species and locally rare species. This Species Diversity Report is a supplement to the Ecosystem Diversity Report, which described how the ecological characteristics for ecosystems on the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) were identified. Ecosystem characteristics were evaluated through development of an Ecological Sustainability Evaluation (ESE) database or tool, best available science, consideration of data and trends documented in the Evaluation of the Need for Change Report/Analysis of the Management Situation (AMS), annual monitoring evaluations, and internal reviews. A similar analysis process was also used to assess species diversity. This report describes the species evaluation process and uses the understanding gained from analysis of ecosystem diversity to develop additional plan components for species diversity.

2.0 SPECIES DIVERSITY 2.1 Ecosystem Context for Species

Twenty-three native ecosystems were identified for the GWNF. A system was added to cover caves and karstlands. Current acreage of each system was calculated using Forest Service GIS data. All identified terrestrial ecological systems were documented in a relational database, the ESE tool, which was based on the structure of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) planning tool. The ESE tool served as the primary process record for ecological sustainability analysis. It included documentation of scientific and other sources consulted, uncertainties encountered, and strategic choices made during development of the database.

Ecological conditions that provide for ecosystem diversity are described in detail in the Ecosystem Diversity Report. These ecological conditions were further analyzed to understand the environmental context and ability for National Forest System (NFS) lands to contribute to the diversity of plant and animal species. The following analysis process was used to determine whether, in addition to plan components for maintaining ecosystem diversity, further species-specific plan components were necessary to sustain species diversity.

As we developed the ecosystem diversity analysis, we identified that many of the ecological systems had similar key attributes, indicators, species associates and resulting forest plan components. For purposes of analysis we combined the systems into the following Ecological System Groups for the ESE Tool.

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Table F-1. Ecological Systems Ecological System Groups Ecological System Spruce Forests Central and Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forest Appalachian (Hemlock)-Northern Hardwood Forest Northern Hardwood Forests Southern Appalachian Northern Hardwood Forest Cove Forests Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest Northeastern Interior Dry-Mesic Oak Forest Central and Southern Appalachian Montane Oak Forest Oak Forests and Woodlands Central Appalachian Dry Oak-Pine Forest Southern Appalachian Oak Forest Southern Ridge and Valley/Cumberland Dry Calcareous Forest Southern Appalachian Montane Pine Forest and Woodland Pine Forests and Woodlands Central Appalachian Pine-Oak Rocky Woodland Southern Appalachian Low-Elevation Pine Forest Mafic Glade and Barrens and Alkaline Southern and Central Appalachian Mafic Glade and Barrens Glades and Woodlands Central Appalachian Alkaline Glade and Woodland North-Central Appalachian Circumneutral Cliff and Talus Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens North-Central Appalachian Acidic Cliff and Talus Appalachian Shale Barrens Central Appalachian River Floodplain Central Appalachian Stream and Riparian Central Interior Highlands and Appalachian Sinkhole and Depression Floodplains Wetlands and Riparian Areas Pond Southern and Central Appalachian Bog and Fen North-Central Appalachian Acidic Swamp North-Central Appalachian Seepage Fen Caves and Karstlands Caves and Karstlands

Key attributes and indicators were identified for each of these systems to determine if the systems are performing to their desired conditions. 2.2 Identification and Screening of Species

The GWNF started with statewide species lists compiled from a variety of sources including the Birds of Conservation Concern list, Virginia and West Virginia State Heritage Programs tracked plant and animal lists, Virginia and West Virginia State Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy species of greatest conservation need list, Regional Forester's Sensitive Species list, federally listed Threatened and Endangered Species, and demand species. The original list consisted of about 474 plant and animal species with ranges occurring throughout Virginia and West Virginia.

Appendix F1 lists the 97 species which were removed from the list because they did not occur or have potential to occur on National Forest System lands based upon suitable habitat, range, or expert taxonomic consensus. If these species are found to occur on the GWNF, they will be re-evaluated. Of the remaining species an additional 82 species were not analyzed further because: a) the species is unaffected by management; b) the Forest is of marginal importance to conservation of the species; c) knowledge of species' ecology is insufficient to support conservation strategy; d) species' taxonomy is too uncertain to develop conservation strategy; or d) species is common and demonstrably secure on the Forest.

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The remaining 295 species are addressed in this analysis. Eighty-four of these species have not been found on the Forest, but could possibly be present and nine are only historical records of species that have not been recently found. 3.0 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

This section covers threatened and endangered (T&E) species, which are those species listed by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service as threatened or endangered. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the agency responsible for listing T&E species on lands managed by the GWNF. The Forest Service cooperates with USFWS efforts in conserving T&E species through protection and habitat management. The Forest Service conducts activities and programs to assist in the identification, conservation, and protection of threatened and endangered species and their habitats. Site-specific evaluations are conducted for any proposed activity that may take place within habitat for these species or near known populations. The GWNF program priorities for T&E species include:

(1) Implement Forest Service actions as recommended in recovery plans for federally listed species. In the absence of an approved recovery plan, implement and, if necessary develop interim Forest Service conservation measures. Update interim conservation measures as needed when new science becomes available. (2) Work with USFWS and other conservation partners to develop recovery plans for federally listed species and candidate conservation agreements for species proposed for listing. (3) Coordinate with partners to implement measures to resolve conflicts with threatened and endangered species and their habitats. (4) Monitor trends in population and/or habitat of federally listed species.

3.1 Threatened and Endangered Species List

The GWNF worked cooperatively with the USFWS to develop the list of federally threatened or endangered species to be considered in the ESE process. Ten T&E species were evaluated in the ESE process (Table F-2). These 10 species are further described below.

Table F-2. Federally Listed T&E Species included in Forest Plan Revision Process

Taxa Species Status

Indiana Bat Mammal Endangered (Myotis sodalis) Virginia Big-Eared Bat Mammal Endangered (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) Virginia northern flying squirrel Mammal Endangered (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus)

Invertebrate - James Spinymussel Endangered Mussel (Pleurobema collina)

Invertebrate - Madison Cave isopod Threatened Arthropod (Antrolana lira) Shale Barren Rock Cress Vascular Plant Endangered (Arabis serotinai)

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Taxa Species Status

Smooth Cone Flower Vascular Plant Endangered (Echinacea laevigata) Virginia Sneezeweed Vascular Plant Threatened (Helenium virginicum) Swamp Pink Vascular Plant Threatened (Helonius bullata) Northeastern Bulrush Vascular Plant Endangered (Scirpus ancistrochaetus)

3.2 Threatened and Endangered Species Descriptions and Needed Plan Components 3.2.1 INDIANA BAT

Background

The Indiana bat is a medium-sized, Myotis species. On March 11, 1967, the Indiana bat was listed as a federal endangered species under the Endangered Species Preservation Act (ESPA) of 1966. Species listed under ESPA carried over and became listed by the Endangered Species Act when it became law in 1973. A recovery plan for the species was completed on October 14, 1983. In October 1996, the Indiana Bat Recovery Team released a Technical Draft Indiana Bat Recovery Plan. In October 1997, a preliminary version entitled "Agency Draft of the Indiana Bat Recovery Plan," which incorporated changes from the 1996 Technical Draft, was released. Subsequently, an agency draft entitled "Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis) Revised Recovery Plan" was distributed for comments in March 1999. A final revision has never been completed. The range of the bat has been divided into recovery units. The GWNF falls within the Appalachian Mountains Recovery Unit.

Critical habitat was designated for the species on September 24, 1976 and includes 11 caves and 2 abandoned mines in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, and Hellhole Cave in Pendleton County, West Virginia. No critical habitat is on or near the Forest and Hellhole Cave is 12.6 miles west of the Forest. The distribution of Indiana bats is generally associated with limestone caves in the eastern U.S. (Menzel et al. 2001). Within this range, the bats occupy two distinct types of habitat. During winter, the Indiana bat hibernates in caves (and occasionally mines) referred to as hibernacula. Bats are often readily found and easily counted at this time. Census of hibernating Indiana bats is the most reliable method of tracking population trends rangewide. As such, the winter distribution of the Indiana bat is well documented. Less is known about the abundance and distribution of the species during the summer maternity season, and even less is known about its migratory habits and associated range. During summer months, maternity colonies of more than 100 adult females roost under sloughing bark of dead and partially dead trees of many species, often in forested settings (Callahan et al. 1997). Reproductive females may require multiple alternate roost trees to fulfill summer habitat needs. Adults forage on winged insects within three miles of the occupied maternity roost. Swarming of both males and females and subsequent mating activity occurs at cave entrances prior to hibernation (MacGregor et al. 1999). During this autumn swarming period, bats roost under sloughing bark and in cracks of dead, partially dead and live trees in proximity to the cave used for hibernation.

Population Based on winter surveys at Priority 1 & 2 hibernacula, plus data from Priority 3 & 4 hibernacula when available, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported in 2007 that the total population of Indiana bats was at a recent historic high of approximately 467,947 individuals (this total is still less than half the estimated population in 1960). The 2009 rangewide population estimate was 415,512 individuals, a decline of 52,435 from 2007. Reasons for the decline are unknown, but perhaps the decline was caused by White Nose Syndrome (WNS),

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which was causing severe bat mortality in some cave hibernating bats in the northeastern and eastern U.S. In January 2012, the January-February 2011 rangewide total was reported at 424,708, an increase of 9,196 bats, and a number comparable to the 2005 count of 425,372 individuals (USFWS 2012).

In 2011, there were 411 hibernacula considered extant, and 62 considered historic or uncertain (USFWS 2012). In 2007, Indiana bats were known to hibernate in approximately 281 hibernacula in 19 states (USFWS 2009). Based on 2011 survey data, Indiana had 52.5% of hibernating individuals, followed by Kentucky 16.6%, Illinois 13.2%, West Virginia 4.8%, New York 3.8%, Missouri 3.2%, Tennessee 3.0%, Ohio 2.3% and the remaining eight states with hibernacula (including Virginia) 0.6% (USFWS 2012). In 2011 the eighteen Priority 1A hibernacula contained 368,597 Indiana bats, or 87% of the total known population, and 36 of 53 hibernacula classified as Priority 2A&B contained 43,328 Indiana bats, or 10% of the total known population. The remaining 340 caves considered extant, Priority 3 or 4 hibernacula contained 12,783 bats, or 3% of the total population. The four hibernacula on or near the Forest – Starr Chapel, Mountain Grove, Clarks, and Hupman’s Saltpetre Caves – are considered Priority 3 or 4 hibernacula.

Data on the Indiana bat has been collected in Virginia since the early 1960’s, when the state’s Indiana bat population was estimated at over 5,000. Dalton (1987) found 2,500 Indiana bats hibernating in eight caves during a 10-year survey of 170 caves in 22 counties. In 1997 the state’s population was estimated to be 1,840 bats. Since 2001, the estimated number of bats in Virginia has remained relatively constant, at 700 – 1100. West Virginia, has seen a steady increase in bats during the past decade, from 10,000 to 20,000 bats.

Table F-3. Indiana bat population levels 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011

Virginia 969 1,158 769 723 730 863 West Virginia 9,714 11,443 13,417 14,745 17,965 20,358

Population estimates of hibernating bats, provided by Rick Reynolds of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, suggest that bat populations in the four hibernacula on associated with the GWNF fluctuate substantially. In general, however, caves with lower numbers of bats seem to maintain low numbers, while caves with higher numbers maintain relative higher numbers of bats (Table F-3a).

Four hibernacula are known to occur on, or within 2 miles, of the Forest. All four caves are gated to control human access. Bat numbers fluctuate from count-to-count, but caves with lower numbers of bats seem to maintain low numbers, while caves with higher numbers maintain relative higher numbers of bats (Table F-3a).

Table F-3a. Indiana Bats in Hibernacula on or Near the GWNF (Caves with Primary and Secondary Cave Protection Areas on land managed by GWNF) (Number of Bats Counted per Rick Reynolds - VDGIF) Winter Starr Mt. Hupman’s Clarks Survey Chapel Grove Saltpetre Cave Year Cave Cave Cave 1960 600 1962 600 1970 1972 35 1974 30 1978 2 1979 1 1980 0 1981 0 1982 16 0

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Winter Starr Mt. Hupman’s Clarks Survey Chapel Grove Saltpetre Cave Year Cave Cave Cave 1983 29 1984 1985 30 1986 0 21 1987 5 52 1988 31 0 1989 36 1990 37 5 22 26 1991 23 0 1992 38 23 0 220 1993 31 0 1994 42 1 20 300 1995 60 1996 0 225 1997 54 1998 2 1999 55 1 2000 2001 2 5 2002 2003 67 47 4 2004 2005 57 50 0 2006 2007 68 49 2008 2009 61 48 2010 2011 74 64 3 2012 92 63 1 Blank cells = no survey done that winter.

Prior to 2003, there were no documented areas of Indiana bat maternity activity in West Virginia, although a juvenile male was captured during the maternity period in Nicholas County in 1999. This bat was not tracked so no additional information on the potential maternity usage in the area is available. In the summer of 2003, two post-lactating female Indiana bats were captured and tracked to roost trees in Boone County, West Virginia. These captures represented the first confirmed Indiana bat maternity activity in West Virginia. Surveys at this site during 2005 located two primary roost trees and resulted in a maximum emergence count of 73 bats. Maternity activity at this site has consistently been confirmed since then through annual surveys. In the summer of 2004, a second maternity colony of approximately 25 bats was confirmed through the capture and tracking of a lactating female Indiana bat. This colony was located adjacent to the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) in Tucker County and is located within 2 miles (3.2 km) of a known Indiana bat hibernaculum. The roost tree that the bats were eventually tracked to fell down the following summer. Subsequent surveys in

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the area have not been successful in capturing any reproductively-active females, although a number of male Indiana bats have been caught. The status of this maternity colony is unknown. A third maternity colony was documented as a result of surveys conducted in 2005 near Kanawha State Forest in Boone County. Emergence counts at the two identified primary roost trees documented a maximum count of 49 bats. In the spring of 2010, female bats tracked emerging from a hibernaculum in Pennsylvania were found to have established a roosting area just over the State border in Ohio County, West Virginia. A maximum of 58 bats were found to emerge from a roost tree in this area. In the summer of 2010, a pregnant female was captured in Wetzel County. Radio telemetry was not conducted on this bat, and follow-up surveys were not able to locate any additional Indiana bats, so no additional information on this maternity area is available. In July and August 2012, five female Indiana bats were captured in Brooke and Ohio Counties. Subsequent tracking and emergence counts documented a number of separate roost areas, and up to 26 bats flying out of an individual roost tree. These captures may represent a number of different maternity colonies within the northern panhandle of West Virginia.

In addition to these captures near potential or confirmed maternity colonies, individual male Indiana bats have been captured in numerous locations throughout the State in the following counties: Clay, Fayette, Nicholas, Pendleton, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph, Raleigh, and Tucker. Three male Indiana bats were captured on another site on the MNF in Pendleton County in 2004. These bats were tracked to a roost tree and subsequent emergence counts on that tree revealed 23 bats. Surveys conducted since that time confirmed this area supports a bachelor male colony roost. In July 2012, a number of male Indiana bats were captured along the Kanawha/Fayette County line in the same area that the juvenile male was captured in 2010. These adult male bats were subsequently tracked to a number of roost trees, as well as to the underside of an Interstate Highway bridge that was later documented to have up to 89 Indiana bats roosting underneath. All the bats that were captured, tracked, or examined were found to be males, providing evidence of an extensive bachelor colony in the area. These captures of both male and female bats confirm that the Indiana bat uses forested habitats throughout the State for summer foraging and roosting. The increase in captures after 2002 may not reflect an actual increase in densities of Indiana bats summering within the State; rather these results may reflect the fact that survey efforts in relation to project review and monitoring have increased in recent years.

Migration The timing of spring and autumn migration has been generally inferred as the time between when bats leave the hibernacula and when they are found in maternity areas (spring), and vice-versa (autumn). In most portions of the range, this is generally considered to be from 15 April to 15 May in spring, and 15 August to 15 November in autumn, although these dates are sometimes adjusted regionally to accommodate latitudinal differences in season. Essentially all acres within the Forest could serve as potential migratory Forest habitat for the Indiana bat.

Little is known about the habitat used by either sex during migration, although it is generally presumed to include a variety of wooded habitats. The following is an excerpt from the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service (1999) Revised Draft Indiana Bat Recovery Plan: “Although certain migration patterns may be inferred from limited band returns, they should be interpreted with caution. The sparse band recovery records, all of which are from the Midwest, indicate that females and some males migrate north in the spring upon emergence from hibernation (Hall 1962; Barbour and Davis 1969; LaVal and LaVal 1980), although there is also evidence that movements may occur in other directions. However, summer habitats in the eastern and southern United States have not been well investigated; it is possible that both sexes of Indiana bats occur throughout these regions. Very little is known about Indiana bat summer habitat use in the southern and eastern United States, or how many Indiana bats may migrate to form maternity colonies there. Most summer captures of reproductively active Indiana bats (pregnant or lactating females or juveniles) have been made between April 15 and August 15 in areas generally north of the major cave areas. While these observations suggest that many or most female Indiana bats in the Midwest migrate north in the spring and south in the fall, potentially significant numbers also migrate in other directions.” When Indiana bats are captured in spring or autumn, especially when caught near a cave or mine, there is generally no way to determine why the bat was in the area. In West Virginia, a male juvenile caught on August 5, 1999 (Kiser et al. 1999) was likely migrating to a nearby hibernaculum. As noted above, Indiana bats hibernating in mountainous regions of West Virginia may travel to warmer areas in the western part of the state or states to the west to raise their young. Brack et al. (2002) indicated that nursery colonies were less likely in higher elevations and areas of cooler temperatures.

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During a survey of coal mining operations in Wise County Virginia, a consulting firm documented use of an abandoned coal mine by a female Indiana bat on April 14, 2001 which may have been a migratory individual. During autumn swarming and spring staging, Indiana bats use the cave hibernacula and nearby wooded habitats. In autumn, use of woodlands decreases over time as bats enter hibernation. The converse is true in spring. Two recent telemetry studies documented use of a variety of habitats within 2 miles of two caves on the Jefferson National Forest. In late September 1999 four Indiana bats (3 males, 1 female) were trapped and fitted with radio transmitters at the entrance of Rocky Hollow Cave in Wise County. From September 23rd to October 13th (21 days) three roost trees were located (all on private land) that were used by two of the bats (one male and one female). The female used two different trees in open woodlands approximately 1.5 miles southwest of the cave near the Lonesome Pine Country Club. One was a shagbark hickory 19” DBH (diameter breast height) and the other was a yellow poplar with peeling bark that was next to a skid-road and had been damaged during a logging operation. The tree occupied by the male bat was used as a roost on multiple days and was a pignut hickory 27.9” DBH located 0.15 miles north of the cave. Other observations made during the course of the study included extensive foraging activity over hayfields and along edges of forests and fields.

McShea and Lessig (2005) conducted a study in April 2005 where thirteen female Indiana bats were fitted with radio transmitters while still in their winter hibernacula in Bath County, VA. They were released and followed closely with both ground and aerial telemetry in an attempt to track them to their unknown summer maternity roost sites. Radio tracking was conducted on a daily basis from the day of their release until their signal disappeared. All bats but one could be followed for up to three weeks and their flight paths were recorded mostly traveling north or south. Four roost trees were found along natural corridors of creeks and ridges and one was still occupied at the end of the study. Several of the bats were observed to travel large distances in a short amount of time. The major directions of travel were generally north and south, with only one bat flying east (into the Shenandoah Valley) and none flying west (over the higher mountain ridges into West Virginia) following release from the winter caves. The bats were located mostly in line with ridges, suggesting that they use these corridors as flyways to follow for easy transportation routes. When they do decide to move the bats can cover large distances in a short amount of time. For example, one bat moved 50- miles south in four days and another moved 25-miles north in two days. The small size of the transmitters necessitated “direct line of sight” to locate the animals, so ground crews were only effective when near the animal or above the animal on a ridge. An aerial crew was a necessity in order to keep track of all individuals when they foraged at night and as the bats dispersed following release. The four roost trees found by McShea and Lessig had similar characteristics. All were large snags and three were along the forest edge (creek or road) where they received significant sunlight during April. All roost sites were within oak-dominated forest types. The three bats that ultimately left their roost trees only stayed in them a few days before moving elsewhere. The overall movement pattern suggests flying to a nearby roost tree, resting for a few days and then flying a long distance before resting again.

A study that started in the spring of 2012 tracked two female Indiana bats from their hibernacula on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee south to two locations. One location was on the Talladega National Forest in Alabama, and the other on a wildlife management area in Gilmer County, Georgia. Information is still being gathered, but the tracked bat on the Talladega National Forest is roosting with approximately 25 to 30 other Indiana bats in an old woodpecker cavity in a dead loblolly pine on the Shoal Creek Ranger District. Both bats and associated roost trees are in an area where recent management has occurred, including thinning and prescribed burning.

There is limited data in WV that can make an overall assessment of Indiana bat migration patterns. This is based on numerous returns from bats who were banded in the non-hibernation period (spring, summer, or fall) and then later recovered during hibernation in the same county where they were banded, indicating that many bats will stay in the vicinity of their hibernacula. The following band returns from bats that moved outside the vicinity of their hibernacula into another county for the summer. Some of the bats went north (movement to Greene Co., PA was frequent) both others went south.

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Summer Capture Location Winter Capture Cave/Location Greene Co., PA Cliff Cave, Pendleton Co., WV Greene Co., PA Big Springs Cave, Tucker Co., WV Greene Co., PA Izaak Walton Cave, Randolph Co., WV Greene Co., PA Hellhole, Pendleton Co., WV Somerset Co., PA Hellhole, Pendleton Co., WV Nicholas Co., WV Hellhole, Pendleton Co., WV Tucker Co., WV Hellhole, Pendleton Co., WV Pocahontas Co., WV Minor Rexrode Cave, Pendleton Co., WV

There are at least four abandoned mines in WV that are being used by Indiana bats in the late fall swarming period, indicating that they are likely being used as hibernacula.

Maternity Colonies During summer, reproductive females form maternity colonies in trees. Maternity colonies may form hundreds of miles from the hibernacula, and females from a maternity colony may come from more than one hibernaculum. In contrast, males often use wooded areas near the hibernaculum, occasionally visiting the hibernaculum throughout the summer. Males sometime migrate long distances to summer habitat, although they tend to be less migratory than females, and often, though not always, remain geographically close to the hibernacula. During this time, males often roost individually, and likely use trees similar in character to those used near hibernacula in autumn and spring. Wooded lands closer to hibernacula are more likely to support males in summer than areas farther away, but essentially all of the Forest may provide suitable summer habitat.

The core summer range of the Indiana bat is southern Iowa, northern Missouri, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, southern Michigan, and western Ohio. West Virginia is within the eastern maternity range, but not within the core range. Maternity colonies are known to occur in some eastern states, such as Kentucky and North Carolina, but, to date, none have been found in Virginia or neighboring areas in other states.

During a previous study in the summer of 1995, six male Indiana bats were captured in Tucker County, West Virginia. These captures represented the first documented summer use in West Virginia by Indiana bats, and suggest that males in West Virginia use areas near the hibernacula during summer. Until 2004 the best evidence of maternity activity in West Virginia was the discovery of a juvenile male on August 5, 1999. This is outside the defined maternity period and likely represents a juvenile migrating to a nearby hibernaculum. Then during the summer of 2004 surveys found a maternity colony estimated at 25 Indiana bats in Tucker County, West Virginia within two-miles of a known hibernaculum (USFS 2009). That same summer three male Indiana bats were captured on the Monongahela National Forest in Pendleton County and tracked to a roost tree where 23 other bats were subsequently counted (USFS 2009). To date no maternity colonies or reproductive female Indiana bats have been captured in Virginia during the summer reproductive season. In summer 1993, Chris Hobson of the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage surveyed areas of Bath, Bland, Highland, Lee, Tazewell, and Wise counties in proximity to known hibernacula. No female Indiana bats were captured and seven males were captured at five sites. One of the males, captured on July 28, 1993 in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, Lee County, was a juvenile, suggesting that a maternity colony may be located in the Cumberland Gap area of Virginia, Kentucky, or Tennessee. These captures are the only documented summer Indiana bat occurrences in Virginia and suggest that males, at the least, use areas near the hibernacula during summer in western Virginia (Hobson 1993). Brack and others (2002) analyzed summer netting efforts 1995 to 2000 to identify summer reproductive populations in Virginia, West Virginia, and portions of Pennsylvania considered within the summer range of the Indiana bat. Over 3,000 net nights of effort failed to produce evidence of any maternity colonies.

Summer Foraging Due to the variability of known roost sites and the lack of knowledge about landscape-scale habitat characteristics, it is difficult to quantify summer roosting habitat for Indiana bat at a range-wide, regional, or

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local level. Forest management practices that affect occupied roost trees may have local impacts on Indiana bat populations. Across the historic range of the Indiana bat vegetation disturbances are prevalent and the species depends on an ephemeral resource (standing snags; living, dead or dying trees with cavities and/or exfoliating bark). Anecdotal evidence suggests that Indiana bats may benefit from limited disturbance around potential roosting areas (Menzel et al. 2001). Limited disturbance can create potential roost trees and open the canopy around potential roost trees (Gardner et al. 1991; Kurta et al. 1993). Indiana bats may be resilient to minor perturbations on the landscape such as targeted forest management and prescribed fire. General standards that would help ensure adequate roost habitat include retention of snags and suitable roost trees whenever possible, prescribed burning to restore and maintain open midstory foraging conditions (using only cool season backing fires in karst areas), and ensuring a continuous supply of oaks, hickories, and yellow pines as well as other trees with exfoliating bark (Menzel et al. 2001).

Fall Swarming Indiana bats may use caves and mines during the non-maternity season (autumn through spring) for one of several reasons: 1) winter hibernation; 2) autumn swarming; 3) spring staging; and 4) vagrant or migratory use. Autumn swarming and spring staging typically occur in woodlands near the hibernacula, with use of the hibernacula increasing as autumn progresses towards winter, and decreasing as spring progresses towards summer. Hibernacula tend to have higher use in spring and autumn, and larger winter concentrations typically produce greater spring and autumn use.

During autumn, when Indiana bats swarm and mate at hibernacula, male bats roost in trees nearby during the day and fly to the cave or mine at night. Work in Missouri (Romme et al. 2002) and Kentucky (Kiser and Elliott 1996; Gumbert 1996) have found that Indiana bats range up to 5 miles from hibernacula during autumn and spring swarming activity periods. In Kentucky, Kiser and Elliott (1996) found male Indiana bats roosting primarily in dead trees on upper slopes and ridgetops, within 1.5 mi of their hibernaculum. In West Virginia, some male Indiana bats roosted within 3.5 mi of their cave, in trees near ridgetops, and often switched roost trees from day to day (C. Stihler, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, pers. observ., October, 1996). One Indiana bat in Michigan roosted 1.4 mi away from the hibernaculum during fall swarming, and another chose trees at a distance of 2.1 mi (Kurta 2000). Gumbert (2001) found an average of 1.2 mi between roost trees and the hibernaculum for 20 radio-tagged Indiana bats. Brack found a range of 0.18 to 0.87 mi between roost trees and a hibernaculum in Virginia, although he did not follow bats if they left the "project area" and the range may actually be greater. Based on terrain and landscape characteristics of these areas (generally rolling without great vertical relief) when compared to the Ridge and Valley terrain of Virginia (mountainous with vertical relief 1,300 to 2,500 feet) it is likely Indiana bat activity in this portion of the Appalachians is confined to the valley in which the hibernaculum occurs and may extend into adjacent valleys via gaps in the surrounding ridges or mountains.

During September and October of 2000 an extensive survey was made of fall swarming activity near Newberry- Bane Cave in Bland County, Virginia as part of the proposed American Electric Power (AEP) 765 kV Wyoming (WV) to Jacksons Ferry (VA) powerline project. This work was conducted by Virgil Brack of Environmental Solutions and Innovations, Cincinnati, Ohio and is documented in the Appendix to the Biological Assessment for the EIS associated with that project. Of 27 Indiana bats captured (24 males and 3 females) at the mouth of Newberry-Bane Cave, 17 (14 males and 3 females) were fitted with transmitters. Radio-tagged bats were monitored between September 9th and October 21st within 2-miles of the cave entrance.

The Brack study found that Indiana bats most frequently foraged over agricultural land (44.7%), intermediate deciduous forests (22.6%), and open deciduous forests (19.0%) habitats types, comprising 86.3% of all habitat types used for foraging during the survey. The bats’ activity areas included proportionally more agricultural lands and open forests than was available in the study area. Closed canopy woodlands were not used by foraging bats to the extent they were available. This study concluded that Indiana bats more frequently used rights-of-way, pasture edges, savannah-like woods, and other openings rather than large, continuous tracts of closed canopy forests. These findings are consistent with the interpretation of telemetry data in similar studies. For roosting ecology the study by Brack found a total of 26 roost trees for 8 of 17 bats fitted with transmitters. Of the 26 roost trees, 39% were shagbark hickories (Carya ovata) and 12 % northern red oak (Quercus rubra), for a total of 51%. Other tree species used as roosts included white oak (Quercus alba), red maple (Acer rubrum), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), black oak (Quercus velutina), bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis), American basswood (Tilia americana), and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis). Five (19%) of the roost trees

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were dead snags. All roost trees were located in close proximity to the cave entrance ranging from 0.16 to 0.86 miles, with an average distance of 3,280 feet (0.6 miles). All roost trees were located near forest canopy openings such as open woodlands of pastures, scattered trees of recently logged areas, old logging roads, utility line corridors, and natural drainages. Five of the eight bats used the same roost tree for two to three consecutive days. Roosts were located in all types of deciduous forests, but exhibited a disproportionately small use of mixed evergreen and deciduous forests. Roost trees were very exposed with little or no canopy shading by other trees. It is likely that in doing so the bats were taking advantage of exposure to solar radiation in order to better regulate body temperature. Many open-canopy areas existed due to recent logging activity that left scattered trees within the harvested areas. Roosts in closed canopy deciduous forests were often in small openings near open corridor flyways.

While much of the activity observed during the study was close to the cave (within approximately 0.6 mile) bats also left the 2-mile study area all together. Males more so than females tended to range further from the cave. Perhaps they would leave to forage where there was less competition for prey (the caves in the area serve as hibernacula for over 8,000 individual bats of at least five different species) and return to the cave area periodically to mate. It’s therefore likely roosting and foraging activity also occurred outside this 2-mile area but all documented roost trees and foraging behavior observed were within two miles of the Newberry-Bane cave.

Hibernacula Indiana bats tend to hibernate in the same cave or mine at which they swarm (LaVal et al. 1976; C. Stihler pers. observation, October 1996), although swarming has been observed at hibernacula other than those in which the bats hibernated (Cope and Humphrey 1977). It is generally accepted that Indiana bats, especially females, are philopatric, that is, they return annually to the same hibernaculum (LaVal and LaVal 1980). Most bats of both sexes enter hibernation by the end of November (mid-October in northern areas—Kurta et al. 1997). Indiana bats hibernate in large, dense clusters, ranging from 300 bats per square foot to 484 bats per square foot (Clawson et al. 1980; Hicks and Novak 2002).

Caves must possess certain characteristics to be suitable as Indiana bat hibernacula. Raesly and Gates (1986) compared microhabitat and microclimate variables between occupied and unoccupied caves and mines. They found that Indiana bat hibernacula tended to have larger openings, more cave passage length, and higher ceilings compared to unoccupied sites. In addition, occupied hibernacula have noticeable airflow (Henshaw 1965). Once Indiana bats enter hibernation, they require specific roost sites in caves or mines that reach appropriate temperatures (Tuttle and Taylor 1994). Indiana bats choose roosts with a low risk of freezing. Stable low temperatures allow the bats to maintain a low metabolic rate and conserve fat reserves until they are ready to emerge in spring; thus, Indiana bats select roosts within hibernacula that best meet their needs for cool temperatures. Indiana bat hibernacula usually host other species of bats. Indiana bats are occasionally observed clustered with or adjacent to other species, including gray bats (M. grisecens), Virginia big-eared bats (Plecotus townsendii virginianus), little brown bats and northern longeared Myotis (Myers 1964; LaVal and LaVal 1980; Kurta and Teramino 1994).

Threats

Additional recent threats include White Nose Syndrome (WNS) and commercial scale wind power development. WNS is a fungus caused disease that was first seen in New York caves during the winter of 2006-2007. The newly discovered, cold-loving fungus (Geomyces destructans) has spread south during the past several years and was first confirmed in Virginia and West Virginia during the winter of 2008-2009 with additional spread and caves now contaminated. To date well over 1-million bats have been killed by this fungus which irritates bats during hibernation causing them to wake and use precious fat reserves. The bats then starve and or freeze when they attempt to fly and leave the cave in search of food during the midst of winter conditions.

Commercial wind power development has rapidly expanded across the Appalachians. Multiple sites have been developed in West Virginia and one site is being constructed in Virginia west of Monterey in Highland County. Bats are often killed during wind tower operations when they fly into the lower pressure area surrounding the trailing edge of spinning blades and suffer extreme barotrauma where decompression causes capillaries in the lungs to explode. Bats are most affected during periods of fall migration when they often follow ridgetops and come into contact with wind towers built along those same ridgetops.

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Plan Components

Effects to the federally endangered Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) were considered because there are hibernacula on and near the Forest, plus it is assumed the entire Forest is potential roosting and foraging habitat for this species. Potential effects include direct effects on hibernacula and effects on foraging and roosting habitat. The main management tool used in the Forest Plan to protect and manage habitat for the Indiana bat is the continued use of a management prescription area with an emphasis on the Indiana bat. This management area is located around the four caves known to contain the Indiana bat. This prescription area is established to: 1) protect hibernacula (caves in which the bats spend the winter); 2) maintain and enhance upland and riparian swarming and foraging areas; and 3) identify and protect summer roosting and maternity site habitat.

Management activities can degrade Indiana bat habitat if implemented in an unrestricted manner, therefore all alternatives continues to employ standards that apply to vegetation management across the entire forest to protect roosting and foraging habitat. Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I also expand the areas defined as riparian corridors, providing additional protection to vegetation in the riparian corridors which have been reported to be important foraging areas.

Effects on Hibernacula Steps have been taken by the Forest to protect and maintain these caves as suitable for the Indiana bat. Since 1995, bat gates have been installed on all caves known to be used by endangered bat species on the Forest. Starr Chapel Cave and Mountain Grove Cave on the Warm Springs Ranger District in Bath County are the only caves with entrances on Forest land that serve as hibernacula for Indiana bats. Clarks Cave and Hupman’s Saltpeter Cave are on private land, but within 2-miles of National Forest land. The Indiana Bat Primary Cave Protection Area is defined by a radius of no less than one half mile around each hibernaculum, defined by national forest surface ownership and topography. This area is intended to protect the integrity of the cave and the immediate surrounding uplands where bats may swarm and forage in the fall. Commercial timber harvest, road construction, and creation of new wildlife openings are prohibited. Prescribed burning, tree cutting, and road maintenance are evaluated in terms of effects on the Indiana bat before approval. This area is not available for gas leasing and is unsuitable for wind energy development. Two Indiana bats were found to have WNS during an April 21, 2010 cave survey conducted by Rick Reynolds (VDGIF) and Wil Orndorff (VDCR) in Starr Chapel Cave. This represents the first time Indiana bats have been documented with WNS on the Forest. Indiana bats occur in other caves infested with WNS, and where other bat species have been found infected, but individual Indiana bats in those other caves have not shown signs of WNS infection. Caves with significant bat populations on Forest land will continue to be gated and locked year-round. Currently, a Regional Forester closure order is in effect that closes all caves and mines year-round on National Forest lands to human intrusion. If and when access is needed, WNS protocols will be followed that should eliminate contamination from other caves.

Effects on Roosting or Foraging Habitat The Indiana Bat Secondary Cave Protection Area is defined by a radius of approximately 1 ½ miles around each primary cave protection area, defined by easily recognizable features on the ground. This configuration of the two protection areas provides management direction to protect and enhance the two-mile area around the hibernacula that is most critical to fall swarming. This secondary area is designed to further maintain and enhance swarming, foraging, and roosting habitat. Timber harvest, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat improvement, road construction, trail construction, and special uses may occur following evaluation of the effects on Indiana bats. Vegetation management is allowed to enhance foraging conditions. Timber management activities are suspended during the fall swarming season. The area is unsuitable for wind energy development.

Potential roosting habitat (mature forests with trees having exfoliating bark) exists across the entire Forest and contains tree species of the size and type known to be used by the Indiana bat. The retention of some snags, shagbark hickory, and hollow trees (as available) will allow for potential Indiana bat roost sites. Decreasing canopy closure as occurs with timbering and prescribed fire activities will increase the degree of exposure of some potential maternity roost trees to solar radiation, providing improved thermal conditions for raising young during a wide range of weather conditions. Pond/waterhole construction will increase the number of upland water sources available for Indiana bats. Persistence of early successional habitats and forests with an open

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understory and patchy overstory would create favorable foraging areas and flight corridors leading to potential roost trees. Harvesting would produce a mosaic of regeneration areas intermixed with mature and late successional forests. Likewise, prescribed fire would also create a mosaic of forest successional stages from early to late resulting from varying fire intensities associated with topographic features, vegetative types, and fuel accumulations. This will indirectly provide feeding areas since bats are known to forage within the canopy openings of upland forests, over clearings with early successional vegetation, and even along the borders of croplands, or wooded strips (fencerows), and over ponds. In contrast, negative impacts to the Indiana bat will be: (a) the slight chance that individuals or small groups of roosting bats (including summer maternity colonies if present) could be unintentionally killed by the felling of trees harboring undetected roosts (e.g. dead limbs with loose bark, or small cavities in the boles), or by the accidental felling of occupied snags, or damaged or hollow trees during timber harvest or other activities; and (b) a short-term reduction in the total amount of foraging habitat available to individual Indiana bats which would be incurred on regeneration cuts immediately after harvest. Although the likelihood is very low, tree cutting activities could result in the inadvertent loss of individual Indiana bats or small groups of Indiana bats via removal of some large-diameter hardwood trees occupied by bats during the period from approximately April 1 to October 15. Occupied and potential roost trees could be directly affected by vegetation management, firewood and salvage sales, routine maintenance/permitting of small clearings including easements, rights-of-way and access to privately-owned lands, and road construction. Plan implementation will result in vegetation disturbance and possible impact to currently occupied and potentially occupied roost trees. There is potential for adverse effects to a maternity roost tree if one occurs on the Forest and in an area where trees are being felled. However, forest-wide standards minimize, if not eliminate, the chance of adverse effects under all alternatives. Any Indiana bat roosts that are discovered would be protected until they were no longer suitable (unless treatments were needed for public or employee safety) under all alternatives.

The National Forest fuelwood program allows the public to purchase and collect wood, often recently downed or standing/leaning dead trees, for personal use. The program is regulated by issuance of an area-specific permit and collection occurs primarily along roadsides and other specified sites with easy access. Vehicles must remain on open roads are not allowed to travel through the forest in order to facilitate finding, cutting, and loading firewood. This, therefore, restricts the distance at which most people are willing to cut and haul firewood and results in firewood being cut within 150 feet (about two tree lengths) of an open road, and is limited almost exclusively to level terrain or the uphill side. Volume of firewood cut on the Forest during 2008 was 4,488 CCF (hundred cubic feet) and during 2009 5,256 CCF, for an average of 4,872 CCF over the two- year period. A 14” DBH tree contains approximately 0.5 CCF of firewood; therefore approximately 9,744 dead trees were cut for firewood each year. The number of standing dead trees on the Forest can be calculated based on analysis of data collected during the 2002-2007 Forest Inventory and Analysis conducted by the Southern Forest Research Station, Asheville, NC and published in 2009. The number of dead standing trees at that time was 14.9 per acre for all trees larger than 5” DBH and 6.1 per acre for trees larger than 9” DBH. Given that the Forest is approximately 1.1 million acres, this equates to at least 6.5 million dead standing trees >9” DBH. All portions of the Forest continue to be infested with gypsy moths and infestations are forest-wide with cycles of defoliation and mortality resulting from population fluctuations of gypsy moths. The result of these infestations is extensive areas of hardwood (especially oak) mortality in the overstory. Therefore, if 10,000 standing dead trees are cut each year for firewood, this equals 0.15% of the total available standing dead trees. Since most of these dead trees are not close to roads or are in Management Prescriptions where firewood cutting is not allowed, the possibility of harming an Indiana bat is extremely remote. In addition, most Indiana bats roost in live trees. Brack and Brown (2002) reported 81% of roost sites used by radio-tagged Indiana bats were live trees and 19% were snags. The odds of encountering a roosting bat are even further reduced since only dead trees are available for cutting as firewood and these dead trees represent perhaps 20% of the trees where they roost. Assuming this trend represented Indiana bat roost selection throughout the Forest; personal use firewood collection could affect 0.0003% of the potential Indiana bat roost trees. Firewood collecting is not allowed in the Primary and Secondary Indiana Bat Cave Protection Management Prescription Areas, ensuring that snags near hibernacula are retained. Although the risk of “take” resulting from firewood cutting cannot be completely eliminated, the risk of direct effects to roosts in the vicinity of hibernacula is further minimized since the collection of firewood in the Primary and Secondary Indiana Bat Cave Protection areas is not allowed by prescription standard. Some minimal risk of taking a bat roosting in a standing dead tree cut for firewood elsewhere on the Forest would continue to exist. However, given the relatively low number of Indiana bats on the Forest when compared to the number of acres, standing trees and

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snags, the use of any individual dead tree as a roost is likely to be brief, and the likelihood of take from firewood cutting is extremely small under all alternatives.

Most types of timber harvest (salvage, even-aged, uneven-aged, etc.) would require some snag and potential roost tree retention, plus specific retention of leave trees such as shagbark hickories. Forestwide standards in all alternatives require stand regeneration treatments greater than ten acres in size, retaining a minimum average basal area of 15 square feet per acre of live trees, and giving priority to retaining the largest available trees that exhibit characteristics favored by roosting Indiana bats (sloughing bark, cracks and crevices).

To maintain flight and foraging corridors in upland and riparian areas, a Conservation Recommendation in the 1997 Biological Opinion encouraged the Forest to increase its prescribed burning program on lands unsuitable for timber harvest. Over the past 15 years, the Forest has steadily increased its prescribed burn program. Alternative E would have the highest acres with 20,000 acres estimated to be prescribed burned each year. Alternatives B, F, G, H and I have an objective to burn 12,000 to 20,000 acres per year. Prescribed fire is used for ecosystem restoration, wildlife and rare species management, site preparation and oak-pine regeneration. Most prescribed burns occur from March to mid-May, with a few during late May and June. Depending on weather and fuel conditions, a few may occur in late October and November. Control lines consist of existing roads, trails, and streams wherever possible. In areas where control lines need to be constructed, handtools and/or bulldozer will be used to dig a two to five foot wide strip to mineral soil. Some trees will need to be felled during line construction, but in most cases larger trees will be avoided with the line going around and between the largest trees. Some standing trees and snags near the line will be felled because they pose a hazard to personnel, or may burn and fall across the line, potentially spreading the fire into areas not scheduled for burning.

Some of the ridgetops on the GWNF have been identified as having potential for developing wind energy. The total area with a potential rated as fair to superb is about 117,000 acres. Plan Alternatives C and E do not allow for commercial wind power development. Alternatives B, D, F, G, H and I allow for consideration of wind power development. Alternatives B, F, G, H and I assume one development site and assume 15 towers per site, while Alternative D assumes three sites and assumes 45 towers. Currently, there are no proposals for wind power development on the GWNF. Any such proposal will be evaluated with an environmental analysis and impacts to bats will be disclosed at that time.

Cumulatively, with implementation of any alternative, the Forest will maintain a supply of snags, live potential roost trees, upland water sources, and other habitat features across the landscape to allow for the maintenance, and promote the recovery, of Indiana bat populations. At the same time, activities can still continue to meet other multiple-use objectives. For example, timber harvesting can still occur to accomplish sufficient forest regeneration to provide diverse insect productions and provide for the continuation of diverse forest conditions across the Forest. Overall, there will be both potential benefits and potential impacts to the Indiana bat from management activities on the Forest. From a beneficial standpoint, the retention of most snags, all shagbark hickory, and hollow trees in sale areas would allow potential Indiana bat roost sites to be conserved; the reduction of canopy closure in sale areas and along unit margins would increase the degree of exposure of potential roost trees to solar radiation, providing improved thermal conditions for roosting and perhaps raising young; pond/waterhole construction would increase the number of upland water sources available for Indiana bats along with other bat species. Slightly positive benefits for Indiana bat would result as harvested units create insect-rich foraging areas and flight corridors leading to any tree roosts that might be present there. Positive benefits would result from prescribed burning by decreasing understory vegetation density and reducing canopy closure plus favoring oak, yellow pines, and hickory while reducing the in-growth of yellow poplar, red maple, and white pine. Positive benefits will also be realized from the application of prescriptions and associated standards focused on protecting caves and managing vegetation structure and conditions within 2-miles of hibernacula.

Contrastingly, negative impacts to the Indiana bat would be: (a) the slight chance that individuals or small groups of roosting bats (including possible summer maternity colonies) could be unintentionally killed by the intentional felling of trees harboring undetected roosts (e.g. dead limbs with loose bark, or small cavities in the boles), or by the accidental felling of occupied snags, or damaged or hollow trees during timber harvest or other activities; and (b) a short-term reduction in the total amount of foraging habitat available to individual Indiana bats which would be incurred on regeneration cuts. Although these bats will use small forest openings

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and edges as foraging habitat, they would be unlikely to utilize the central portions of harvested units during the early years of regeneration unless the residual basal area was high enough. It is possible that the increased rate of insect production in the regeneration areas would make up for any loss of foraging habitat acreage, but such a determination would be difficult to make without extensive long-term research on the subject. The level of estimated timber harvest ranges from 1,000 to 5,000 acres depending on Alternative. Specific acreage by type of silvicultural system for each alternative is discussed in the Social/Economic Environment, Timber Management section of the EIS. See specifically Table 3C6-14.

Although the likelihood is very low, implementation of any alternative may result in the inadvertent loss of individual Indiana bats or small groups of Indiana bats, via removal of some large-diameter hardwood trees occupied by bats during the period April 1 through October 15. This risk would be greatest in those alternatives with the highest acres of timber harvest. Alternative D has the highest acres estimated, followed by Alternatives A, B, E, G, H and I, and F in order. Alternative C has no timber harvest allowed.

Under all alternatives, Forest-wide and management prescription standards will provide adequate protection for summering and transitory Indiana bats. These standards and prescriptions provide for maintenance of extensive forest areas that would remain undisturbed. These areas are characterized by disturbance events where net losses and gains of potential roost trees would be dependent on ecological processes including tree mortality due to aging, insect and disease, wildland fires, and weather events.

In addition, all alternatives allocate areas surrounding known Indiana bat hibernacula to Management Prescriptions 8E4a and 8E4b. In the future, any newly discovered hibernacula will be added to this prescription through the Forest Plan amendment process. In the 1997 Biological Opinion for the Forest, and the 2004 BO for the Jefferson NF, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the level of anticipated take (4,500 acres not including prescribed burning on the Forest and 16,800 acres including prescribed burning on the JNF) is not likely to result in jeopardy to the Indiana bat or destruction or adverse modification of any critical habitat. Although the loss of a few individuals from time to time during timber harvest is remotely possible, the overall large amount of improvement of roosting and foraging habitat for the Indiana bat, coupled with management activities taking bat life requirements into account, plus an increasing number of upland drinking water sources, and gating of hibernacula, suggests that these potential losses would be offset by overall future net gains in the population.

Long-term effects of WNS are unknown at this time. It’s likely that Indiana bats will be further affected by WNS and those cumulative effects may exceed any action Forest Plan implementation will cause.

Cumulative effects of wind power development will be addressed in project level analysis if and when the Forest receives a proposal for construction.

3.2.2 VIRGINIA BIG-EARED BAT

Background

Formerly included in the genus Plecotus, the Virginia big-eared bat is a subspecies of the more common and widespread Western (or Townsend’s) big-eared bat that occurs throughout the western U.S., southwest Canada, and most of Mexico. The subspecies, virginianus, occupies a very limited geographic range in the Central Appalachians that includes portions of four states: West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina (Bayless et al. 2011). The species was listed under provisions of the Endangered Species Act as “Endangered” in December 1979. The Recovery Plan was issued on May 8, 1984 and a draft revised recovery plan was submitted for review in 1996, but was never finalized. The first substantive 5-year review of the species was released by the USFWS, West Virginia Field Office, during the summer of 2008. On March 6, 2012, a request was made in the Federal Register by the USFWS for information to initiate a 5-year review of 9 listed species in the northeast, including the Virginia big-eared bat.

Population numbers have shown moderate to strong increases range-wide over the past 20 years. In the late 1970s, when the recovery plan was drafted, the known population of Virginia big-eared bats in maternity colonies was approximately 3,600, and the known hibernating population was approximately 2,585 (U.S. Fish

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and Wildlife Service 2008). In the late 1980s, the estimated, total population of the subspecies in West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina was approximately 10,000 bats (Dalton 1987). By 1997 the range-wide population of C.t. virginianus was estimated to have almost doubled to just under 20,000 individuals (Pupek 1997). In West Virginia some cave populations grew as much as 350% from 1983 to 1995 (Pupek 1997). Survey data from 2006-2007 indicate a population of 11,694 hibernating bats and 7,630 maternity colony bats (USFWS 2008). These surveys did not include bachelor colonies or several caves with significant bat use due to access or safety concerns. The 2012 surveys of the 10 summer colonies in West Virginia show that the Virginia big-eared bats continue to do well with the total being the highest count on record with 7,531 bats, up 0.9% from 2011 and up 18.2% since 2008, pre-WNS (WNS was found in WV in 2009). The 2012 count increased in 8 of the 10 caves compared to the 2011 count (Stihler 2012 per comm).

In Virginia, this bat is known from eight caves in six counties in two separate geographic areas. One area is in the upper headwaters of the James River (Cowpasture and Bullpasture Rivers) and the other is in the New River watershed. According to the Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service, the Virginia big-eared bat is known from three caves in Tazewell County and one in Highland County during the summer and five caves during the winter in Tazewell, Bland, and Highland Counties. Previous observations of single or a few (<5) individuals in caves found in Rockingham, Bath, and Pulaski Counties are likely transient males and are only seen occasionally in these locations.

In West Virginia, the Virginia big-eared bat is known from at least 30 caves in five counties, with most of the occurrences (20) in Pendleton County. The final rule that placed the Virginia big-eared bat on the endangered species list also designated five caves in West Virginia as Critical Habitat: one cave in Tucker County (Cave Hollow Cave) and four caves in Pendleton County (Cave Mountain Cave, Hellhole Cave, Hoffman School Cave, and Sinnit Cave).

The Virginia big-eared bat occupies caves year-round. These bats are not migratory and their longest recorded movement is approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles; Dalton & Handley 1991). Males and females hibernate singly or in mixed gender, single species clusters in a few caves, and move in the spring to other cave(s), with females forming smaller summer maternity/nursery colonies and males remaining solitary, or forming bachelor groups, during the summer.

Mating begins in late summer/early autumn and continues into early winter. Ovulation and fertilization are delayed until late winter/early spring. Maternity colonies form as early as March or as late as June depending on when the roost site reaches a suitably warm temperature. Gestation lasts 2-3.5 months. Solitary pups are born in late spring/early summer. Young can fly at about 2.5-3 weeks of age, are weaned by 6-8 weeks, and leave the cave to forage on their own by the end of July or August. Most individuals leave the nursery cave by mid to late September. Females are sexually mature their first summer. Males may not be sexually active until their second year. Nearly all adult females breed every year (NatureServe 2011).

The Virginia big-eared bat primarily feeds on moths. Morphological adaptations (long ears and wing shape that results in low wing loadings) facilitate foraging tactics which involve slow-maneuverable flight where prey can be captured in air or from the surface of objects. Foraging techniques consist both of aerial hawking and gleaning. Lacki and Dodd (2011) noted that Lepidopteran prey comprises >80% volume of the diet of all Corynorhinus species. Food habits of the maternity colony in Tazewell County, Virginia found that moths formed over 90% of the diet, with beetles a distant second, followed by lesser quantities of other flying insects. The bats typically leave the cave after sunset with the onset of full darkness to begin foraging. Level of flight activity in Virginia big-eared bats is negatively associated with moon phase and wind speed, and directly related to percent relative humidity (Adam et al. 1994). Foraging area averages approximately 280 acres (60 – 650 acres). Maximum flight distance of foraging from caves is 7.0 miles, with 80% of foraging occurring within 3.7 miles (Stihler 2010). Bats have been observed foraging over corn and alfalfa fields as well as mature upland forests, wherever moths occur in abundance (Dalton et al. 1986). An overriding pattern of habit usage in foraging is a preference for abrupt changes in vertical structure, such as along forested and riparian corridors and forest/edge interfaces. The vertical surfaces likely help in capturing stationary moth prey by gleaning. Because most of these same habitats are avoided by families of moths typically eaten by Corynorhinus, Lacki and Dodd suggest that foraging habitats are better predicted by structural configuration than by local abundance of preferred moth prey (Lacki and Dodd 2011).

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Threats

Limiting factors for the Virginia big-eared bat include caves with suitable temperature regimes (cold in winter and warm in summer). Compared to other bats, Virginia big-eared bats tolerate lower cave temperatures during hibernation, and often occupy areas in caves that receive cold-air flow near entrances. Maternity caves are typically warmer than hibernation caves. Declines appear to be primarily related to human disturbance and loss of cave habitat quality. The Virginia big-eared bat is extremely intolerant of any human disturbance. Former declines in bat populations are likely attributable to human intrusion into caves, which depletes energy reserves of aroused bats and may lead to cave abandonment if disturbance is frequent (NatureServe 2011). The recovery plan (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 1984) recommends recovery actions focused on cave acquisition and gating of entrances to control human access. The increased population of Virginia big-eared bats over the past 30-years is likely attributable to gating and year-round closure of caves occupied by these bats.

On the Forest there are no caves regularly occupied by the Virginia big-eared bat at any time of the year. All occupied caves in Virginia, during both summer and winter, are on private land. Cave occurrences of the Virginia big-eared bat closest to the Forest are located in Highland County, Virginia, and Pendleton County, West Virginia, where the closest distance from an occupied cave to Forest managed land is approximately 2.5- miles (Arbegast Cave, Highland County). In Pendleton County the closest distance from caves designated as Critical Habitat to Forest land is: Hellhole Cave, 12.6 miles; Cave Mountain Cave, 10.25 miles; Sinnit Cave, 5.0 miles; and Hoffman School Cave, 3.6 miles. It’s therefore possible, based on observed flight distances for foraging activity of 2.2 – 5.2 miles, that Virginia big-eared bats may forage over some portions of the North River Ranger District, from the Brandywine area of Pendleton County, WV south to the McDowell area of Highland County, VA.

The greatest threat currently known to Virginia big-eared bats is human disturbance in hibernacula, roosting, and maternity caves. None of these caves occur on the Forest. The Forest has assisted with building and maintaining cave gates, such as the purchase of materials and construction of the gate on Arbegast Cave in 2007. Currently, all the caves on or near the Forest utilized by the endangered Indiana bats are gated and locked year-round, plus a Closure Order, issued by the Regional Forester to lessen spread of WNS and prevent disturbance to bats, continues on all caves and mines.

Negative effects to Virginia big-eared bats from vegetation management are minimal because these bats utilize caves year-round for all roosting and hibernation. Vegetation management such as timber harvest, thinning, and prescribed burning will increase vertical structure in closed canopy forests creating a spatial mosaic of conditions and will therefore provide and enhance foraging habitat.

Plan Components

Under all alternatives, Forest Plan standards relevant to the Virginia big-eared bat and associated cave habitat would protect all caves now known on the Forest, as well as any cave discovered or purchased that may support Virginia big-eared bats. Although no hibernacula, summer roost, or maternity caves have been identified on the Forest, forestwide standards maintain vegetation, and require installation of gates or other protective structures, at entrances of all caves occupied by populations of any threatened or endangered bats. Until a newly discovered cave has been surveyed for bats, it is assumed that federally listed bats are present and the cave and surrounding habitat are maintained for them until surveyed. Potential foraging habitat will be maintained in a mosaic of vegetative conditions, and any changes will result from forest succession and management activities such as timber sales and prescribed burning.

Recent potential and known threats include White Nose Syndrome (WNS) and commercial-scale wind power development.

WNS is a fungus caused disease that was first seen in New York caves during the winter of 2006-2007. The newly discovered, cold-loving fungus (Geomyces destructans) has spread south during the past several years and was first confirmed in Virginia and West Virginia during the winter of 2008-2009. Since 2009, the fungus has continued to spread and contaminate caves in and near the Forest. To date, there have been no Virginia

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big-eared bats found with WNS (Stihler 2012 pers. Comm.). WNS has been documented in caves occupied by Virginia big-eared bats, yet the bats do not show signs of infection, and no mortality attributable to WNS has been documented.

All caves with significant bat populations on Forest land will continue to be gated and locked. Currently, a Regional Forester closure order is in effect that closes all caves and mines on the National Forest to human intrusion. If and when access is needed to any cave, WNS protocols will be followed that are designed to reduce the potential for contamination from caving activity.

Commercial wind power development has rapidly expanded across the Appalachians. Multiple sites have been developed in West Virginia and one site is being constructed in Virginia west of Monterey in Highland County. Bats are often killed by wind towers when they fly into the lower pressure surrounding the trailing edge of spinning blades, and suffer extreme barotrauma because the decompression causes capillaries in their lungs to explode. Bats are most affected during periods of fall migration because they often follow ridgetops and come into contact with wind towers built along those same ridgetops.

Alternatives C, and E do not allow for commercial wind power development. Alternatives B, D, F, G, H and I allow for consideration of wind power development. Alternatives B, F, G, H and I assume one development site and assume 15 towers per site, while Alternative D assumes three sites and assumes 45 towers. Currently there are no proposals for wind power development on the GWNF. Any such proposal will be evaluated with an environmental analysis and impacts to bats will be disclosed at that time.

There are expected to be no cumulative effects to the Virginia big-eared bat resulting from implementation of any alternative. As stated above, the caves where this species occurs are on private land near the Forest. Landowners of these caves are aware of the bats’ presence and the caves are either gated or protected to limit human entrance and disturbance. Individual Virginia big-eared bats may forage or fly over National Forest land, but current conditions will be maintained, and habitat enhanced through active management for preferred foraging habitat in all alternatives except Alternative C. Active management will include timber harvest, thinning, and prescribed burning will designed to increase forest openings and decrease canopy closure.

There have been concerns about the effect gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) defoliation and suppression efforts may have on Virginia big-eared bats. Gypsy moths are well established across the Forest. Defoliation, and the subsequent short-term loss of forest cover, may suppress insect populations and thus food sources for the bats. Likewise, pesticides suppress or eliminate insect populations to varying degrees, depending on the type of insecticide used (USDA 1996). Suppression of gypsy moth outbreaks have not been done on the Forest since Spring of 2003 when 1,311 acres in six areas were treated with Btk and none of those areas were within 50-miles of known Virginia big-eared bat occurrences. If necessary in the future decisions on gypsy moth management will be made at that time and further analysis handled at the project level including consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Effects of WNS are unknown at this time. If infection occurs in Virginia big-eared bats and they are negatively affected by WNS there is little if anything the Forest can do other than assist with surveys and monitoring, plus keep caves gated and closed on a year-round basis.

Direct and cumulative effects of wind power development will be addressed in project level analysis, including consultation, if and when the Forest receives a proposal for construction.

3.2.3 VIRGINIA NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL

Background

The Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus; hereafter abbreviated VNFS) is a nocturnal small mammal endemic to the Alleghany Highlands of West Virginia and Virginia. The species was federally listed as Endangered in 1985, along with another subspecies, the Carolina northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus), and is also state listed as endangered under the Virginia Endangered Species Act (Fies

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and Pagels 1991). VNFS is a relatively short-lived species primarily inhabiting mature spruce forest, as well as the ecotone between spruce and northern hardwood forests (Ford et al. 2004; Ford and Rodrigue 2007; Loeb et al. 2000; Menzel et al. 2004, 2006a; Reynolds et al. 1999; Schuler et al. 2002; Smith 2007; USFWS 1990, 2001, 2006, 2008; Weigl et al. 1999). VNFS will eat a range of seeds, buds, fruits, and insects, but, in the Appalachians, the squirrels rely heavily on hypogeal fungi (truffles) and lichens associated with the root systems of red spruce (Ford et al. 2004; Ford and Rodrigue 2007; Loeb et al. 2000; Maser et al. 1978, 1986; Maser and Maser 1988; Mitchell et al. 2001). While nesting mainly in tree cavities in live hardwoods and snags (yellow birch and American beech are preferred), the VNFS will also utilize leaf or ‘drey’ nests in conifers such as red spruce and eastern hemlock, and have been observed using multiple den/nest sites in one season (Hackett and Pagels 2003; Menzel 2003; Menzel et al. 2000, 2004; Weigl et al. 1999). Den sites have often been found in trees and snags larger and taller than surrounding tress, and near trails, old logging roads, or railroad grades (Hackett and Pagels 2004; Menzel et al. 2004). VNFS will occupy artificial nest boxes (Reynolds et al. 1999). Individual home range sizes are variable, ranging from 5 to > 100 ha in West Virginia (Urban 1988; Menzel et al. 2006b). Home range size varies by habitat structure quality and seasonal food abundance, with males tending to have larger home ranges than females (Weigle et al. 1999). Optimal habitat is red spruce forest exhibiting mature to old-growth characteristics on north and east-facing slopes, with large trees, numerous snags, high volumes of coarse wood debris, and abundant lichens and hypogeal fungi providing year-round lifecycle needs (Carey 1989, 1991, 1995; Ford et al. 2004; Hackett and Pagels 2003; Odom et al. 2001; Payne et al. 1989; Rosenburg 1990; Shuler et al. 2002; Weigl et al. 1999). However, VNFS can persist in and around remnant patches of red spruce and mixed spruce-northern hardwood forest (Ford et al. 2004; Menzel 2003; Menzel et al. 2004; 2006a, b; Smith 2007).

In a 2006 5 year review and 2008 final rule, the USFWS estimated a range of 242,000 to 600,000 acres of potential suitable habitat for VNFS, generally following the spine of the high Allegheny Plateau in a northeast to southwest alignment (Menzel et al. 2006b; USFWS 2006 and 2008). No critical habitat has been designated for this species. Based on the Menzel habitat suitability model, the majority of ‘optimal’ (80%) and ‘likely’ (65%) habitat is found on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia (Menzel et al. 2006b; USFWS 2006 and 2008). Approximately 6,268 acres of mixed spruce and northern hardwood habitat occurs in the Laurel Fork area on the Forest, in Highland County, Virginia. This represents approximately 3% of the total estimated habitat for the VNFS rangewide and 25% of an estimated 25,250 acres of ‘likely’ habitat in Highland County, Virginia, as determined by the Menzel habitat suitability model (Menzel et al. 2006a; USFWS 2006 and 2008). At Laurel Fork, mature red spruce is found mixed within northern hardwood forest types, primarily associated with riparian areas along Buck, Slabcamp, Bearwallow, and Newman Runs, all on the upper east flank of Alleghany Mountain (Fleming and Moorhead 1996). Current estimates of mature red spruce is 219 acres, with an additional 154 acres of mature red spruce in plantations on the upper slopes of Allegheny Mountain, in the vicinity of Buck Knob and Locust Spring Run (Fleming and Moorhead 1996; USFS 2011). In addition, 116 acres of mature red pine plantation is present in the same area. Most of the spruce and red pine is estimated to be 90 years or older. Adjacent to the spruce and pine plantations and intermixed along the tributaries to Laurel Fork and Laurel Fork itself are an estimated 158 acres of open beaver meadow/wetland glades, and herbaceous and shrubby old field habitat (Fleming and Moorhead 1996). In total, 373 acres of mature red spruce and an additional 116 acres of mature red pine are components of the 6,268 acre mixed spruce/northern hardwood forest complex in Laurel Fork. Abundant red spruce regeneration is present throughout the area, both in the understory of spruce/northern hardwood forests and in adjacent old beaver meadows and wetland glades, making the total acreage of the spruce forest component estimated at around 600 acres (Fleming and Moorhead 1996; USFS 2011).

At the time of federal listing in 1985, VNFS was known to occur in four geographic areas, three in West Virginia (Cranberry Glades, Cheat Bridge/Cheat Mountain, Stuart Knob) and one in Virginia (Laurel Fork). The USFWS has documented 109 known sites with VNFS, 107 in West Virginia, and two in Virginia (USFWS 2006 and 2008). The Virginia population is known only from Highland County, Virginia and is considered part of the Spruce Knob/Laurel Fork population cluster (Pocahontas, Randolph, Pendleton Counties, West Virginia, and Highland County, Virginia) (USFWS 2006 and 2008). A population of uncertain genetic status is also located in southwestern Virginia at Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area and adjacent Grayson Highlands State Park (USFWS 2006 and 2008). Several studies have attempted to determine whether this population is the Virginia or Carolina northern flying squirrel subspecies, or an intergrade between the two, with the most recent research indicating a likely genetically distinct population (Arbogast and Schumacher 2010; Fies and Pagels

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1991, Reynolds et al. 1999; Sparks 2005). Until the genetic uncertainties are officially resolved, the USFWS recovery plan for Carolina flying squirrel includes this population for conservation and management purposes, and is addressed in the Jefferson National Forest Revised Land Management Plan (USFS 2004; USFWS 2006).

Since 1985, the Laurel Fork area has been monitored for VNFS using a combination of presence/absence surveys with nest box checks and live capture/recapture methods (J. Pagels unpublished data; Reynolds et al. 1999). At the time the first Forest Plan Revision was signed (1993), monitoring efforts estimated fewer than 20 individuals in the Laurel Fork Area (USFS 2011). Despite repeated monitoring efforts for over twenty years, very few VNFS have been captured. During a 10 year mark/recapture study on two sites in Laurel Fork (1986- 1996), only one squirrel was captured in 10 years on site one, and 3-6 captured in four of 10 years on site two (Reynolds et al. 1999). Despite a low capture rate throughout the years, VNFS have been shown to persist in the Laurel Fork area with the most recent capture in 2004 (J.Pagels unpublished data). Three sites in Laurel Fork on the Forest have now been documented to have VNFS, as well as two sites on private land in Highland County, one adjacent to Forest land in Laurel Fork (Rick Reynolds, VDGIF and Marek Smith, TNC, pers. comm., 2012). The USFWS acknowledges known inadequacies in current monitoring techniques for VNFS to prove or disprove presence of the VNFS (USFWS 2001, 2006, 2008). The current Recovery Plan for VNFS, as amended, encourages the assumption of presence in suitable habitat, because the squirrels are less likely to use nest boxes or enter traps in good quality habitat due to the abundance of natural den sites and preferred foods in these areas (USFWS 2001).

Threats

A number of natural and human-related threats have been documented for the VNFS in the USFWS recovery plan, USFWS 5 year review, USFWS Final 2008 Rule, and published research.

Loss of suitable habitat and connectivity. Historically, the Allegheny Highlands contained over 500,000 acres of old-growth spruce-dominated forest in the Allegheny Highlands (USFWS 2006 and 2008). Much of this was lost through historical logging and associated wildfires, which led to the replacement forest being more dominated by northern hardwood types, with a reduced spruce/conifer component (Adams and Stephenson 1989; Schuler et al. 2002). This habitat change and resulting fragmentation of suitable habitat had a serious negative impact on the size and distribution of VNFS populations throughout their range (Ford and Rodrigue 2007, USFWS 2006 and 2008). Currently, an estimated 242,000 – 600,000 acres of varying suitability exists for VNFS, based on the consolidation of several habitat suitability models (USFWS 2006 and 2008). In the Laurel Fork area on the Forest, 373 acres of mature red spruce, an additional 116 acres of mature red pine, and an estimated 300 acres of red spruce regeneration are intermixed within 6,268 acres of mixed spruce/northern hardwood forest ecological system. The current Forest Plan Revision (1993) identifies this area as the Laurel Fork Special Management Area and the Laurel Fork Roadless Area (USFS 1993), and management of the area has been in compliance with the guidelines of the VNFS Recovery Plan, as amended.

Disease. Several disease threats to the habitat of the VNFS have been documented at Laurel Fork. The hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) has caused serious death and decline of Eastern hemlock forests across the Forest (USFS 2011). Eastern hemlock was identified as a component of the spruce/northern hardwood system in Laurel Fork (Fleming and Moorhead 1996), but not a dominant overstory type in the area of Laurel Fork known to have VNFS populations. Because a predominately montane conifer component is still present, it is not anticipated that hemlock woolly adelgid would pose a serious threat to the habitat quality for VNFS, given the limited role of hemlock in flying squirrel survival (USFWS 2006 and 2008). Beech bark disease results from attack by the beech scale insect, Cryptococcus fagisuga; subsequent fungal infestations can either cause serious decline or mortality to mature trees (Cammermeyer 1993). Evidence of beech bark disease is present in Laurel Fork (Fleming and Moorhead 1996), resulting in scattered mortality of mature trees, but the beech component is still present in the spruce/northern hardwood community. Scattered mortality provides potential suitable cavities for VNFS (USFWS 2006 and 2008). Due to the limited amount of beech present in Laurel Fork, Beech bark disease is not considered to be a serious threat to the quality of habitat for VNFS in the life of proposed Forest Plan Revision.

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Impacts from southern flying squirrel. The FWS Recovery Plan states VNFS can be threatened by competition for available den sites with the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) and by spread of a parasitic nematode (Strongyloides) from the southern to northern flying squirrel (USFWS 2001). Recently, however, the USFWS has documented that while co-occurrence of both species in areas of the VNFS range has been documented, available evidence indicates occurrence and potential severity of impacts due to sympatric existence appears limited (USFWS 2006 and 2008). One possible explanation could be the decline of available beech nuts by the spread of beech bark disease, an important food source for southern flying squirrels. With regards to parasitic infestations, research has hypothesized that the parasitic nematode (Strongyloides) is limited by below-freezing temperatures, such as occurs throughout the range of VNFS (Wetzel and Weigel 1994). Twenty years of capture data documenting VNFS with no signs of debilitating effects due to parasitic infestation appear to bolster this hypothesis (USFWS 2006 and 2008). Therefore, the USFWS has concluded the risk of competition with the southern flying squirrel does not threaten the continued existence of the VNFS (USFWS 2006 and 2008).

Acid precipitation and climate change. Since federal listing of VNFS, acid precipitation and climate change have been cited as factors in the decline of the spruce-fir ecosystem throughout the Appalachians. The negative effects of acid deposition on fir species have been well documented, though long-term effects to red spruce have not been as conclusive (USFWS 2006 and 2008). The long-term impacts of a rise of average high temperatures due to climate change could negatively affect the extent and quality of northern hardwood and spruce ecosystems, further reducing available habitat throughout the range of VNFS (Delcourt and Delcourt 1984).

Across the range of the VNFS, the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia contains the majority of the estimated suitable 242,000 acres of suitable habitat (Menzel 2003; USFWS 2006 and 2008). The Laurel Fork area in the Forest, with an estimated 6,268 acres of suitable habitat, and representing approximately 3% of the available suitable habitat range-wide, borders the Monongahela National Forest, with two Monongahela NF Management Prescription 4.1 (Spruce and Spruce-hardwood Restoration) areas within 3 and 10 miles respectively of the Forest (USFS 2006). The Laurel Fork area is considered part of the larger Spruce Knob/Laurel Fork VNFS Recovery population cluster (Pocahontas, Randolph, Pendleton Counties, West Virginia, and Highland County, Virginia) and affords the best opportunity for connectivity of habitat and long term population gene flow for VNFS (USFWS 2006 and 2008). In Virginia, smaller areas of spruce/northern hardwood on private land adjacent to and in the vicinity of Laurel Fork, and have known VNFS populations, are under Conservation Easement through the Virginia Nature Conservancy (Marek Smith, TNC, pers. Comm. 2012). The current Forest Plan Revision (1993) identifies the Laurel Fork area as the Laurel Fork Special Management Area and the Laurel Fork Roadless Area (USFS 1993). Vegetation desired conditions and management have been performed in compliance with the guidelines of the VNFS Recovery Plan, as amended, (USFS 1993). Current spruce and northern hardwood systems in the Laurel Fork area are mature and will continue to age through the life of the proposed plan revision.

Several studies have attempted to determine whether this population is the Virginia or Carolina northern flying squirrel subspecies, or an intergrade between the two, with the most recent research indicating a likely genetically distinct population (Arbogast and Schumacher 2010; Fies and Pagels 1991; Reynolds et al. 1999; Sparks 2005). Until the genetic uncertainties are officially resolved, the USFWS recovery plan for Carolina flying squirrel includes this population for conservation and management purposes (USFWS The Whitetop and Mount Rogers areas containing northern flying squirrel habitat (approximately 6,000 acres) have been allocated to special areas in the Jefferson National Forest Land Management Plan Revision (management prescriptions 4.K.3. and 4.K.4.) (USFS 2004). Both of these special areas are classified as unsuitable for timber management and management is primarily focused on protecting and restoring the high elevation rare communities and species that inhabit this area (including the spruce-fir and northern hardwood forest and northern flying squirrel), managing forest visitor use, maintaining the outstanding vistas and natural scenery that led to designation of this area as a National Recreation Area. Key spruce-fir and northern hardwoods restoration areas have been identified in the Jefferson NF Revised Forest Plan to provide linkages to connect suitable habitat types for northern flying squirrels.

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Habitat on the Forest currently occupied by the northern flying squirrel is protected and habitat and gene flow linkages are being restored through management prescriptions on the adjacent Monongahela National Forest, as well as Conservation Easements on adjacent and nearby private land. The northern flying squirrel population of uncertain genetic status at Mt. Rogers is also being protected through provisions in the Jefferson National Forest Revised Land Management Plan. These actions will provide suitable habitat, connectivity, and opportunities for gene flow over the life of the proposed Plan Revision and into the future. Therefore the cumulative effects of the proposed George Washington Revised Forest Plan will be beneficial to the VNFS.

Plan Components

Alternatives A, B, D, E, G, H and I identify the Laurel Fork Area as a Special Biological Area and as Remote Backcountry. The Laurel Fork Area is also a Potential Wilderness Area. VNFS Recovery Plan Guidelines will continue to be followed in habitat with known populations or the potential to have populations of VNFS. Objectives for the Spruce Forest and Northern Hardwood Ecological Systems are to maintain current acreage. In Alternatives B, D, E, G, H and I there is also an objective to re-establish about 1,300 acres of regenerating spruce across the planning period. Where non-native red pines were planted, red spruce should be restored. Forestwide standards for the Spruce Forest Ecological System are to maintain or restore the forest type.

Current spruce and northern hardwood systems in the Laurel Fork area are mature and will continue to age through the life of the proposed plan revision. Spruce regeneration is also present and will continue through mostly natural means throughout the proposed planning period, although active restoration may also occur. Habitat suitable for VNFS will continue to be available through the foreseeable future.

Alternatives B, D, E, G, H and I have strategies to help mitigate, as much as possible, potential effects of habitat quality and reduction of the spruce and northern hardwood ecosystem.

In Alternatives C and F the Laurel Fork area is recommended for Wilderness designation. Natural processes would continue in the area, but active restoration activities would not occur.

Under all alternatives, the Laurel Fork area is not available for gas leasing so would not be affected by the decision on lands available for leasing.

3.2.4 JAMES SPINYMUSSEL

Background

The James spinymussel was federally listed as endangered in 1988 (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 1990). Historically, this species was apparently throughout the James River above Richmond, in the Rivanna River, and in ecologically suitable areas in all the major upstream tributaries (Clarke and Neves 1984). The species remained widespread through the mid-1960’s, but now appears extirpated from 90% of the historic range. Since 1990, James spinymussel populations have been found in three tributaries to the Dan River in Virginia and North Carolina, which is outside of the species’ range known at the time of listing.

This species is found in slow to moderate currents over stable sand and cobble substrates with or without boulders, pebbles, or silt (Clarke and Neves 1984). Hove and Neves (1994) found James spinymussels in 1.5 to 20 m wide second and third order streams at water depths of 0.3 to 2 m. Seven fish hosts, all in the family Cyprinidae, have been identified (Hove 1990): bluehead chub, rosyside dace, blacknose dace, mountain redbelly dace, rosefin shiner, satinfin shiner, and stoneroller. Freshwater mussels are filter feeders taking organic detritus, diatoms, phytoplankton, and zooplankton from the water column. The following excerpt from Hove and Neves (1994) states the current thinking on threats:

“There are several anthropogenic and natural threats to the James spinymussel’s continued existence. Nearly all the riparian lands bordering streams with the James spinymussel are privately owned. With more intensive use of the land, it is probable that water quality and habitat suitability will deteriorate. At

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present, the most detrimental activities include road construction, cattle grazing, and feed lots that often introduce excessive silt and nutrients into the stream.”

The introduced Asian clam is also considered to be a threat to the James spinymussel and is beginning to invade several sites (Hove and Neves 1994).

Occurrences of the James spinymussel near the Forest include Potts Creek, Craig Creek, Pedlar River, Cowpasture River, Bullpasture River, Mill Creek, and there are historic records from the James and Calfpasture Rivers. In the Craig Creek watershed, the species is stable due to population(s) in Johns, Dicks, and Little Oregon creeks (near the Jefferson National Forest). The species appears to be extirpated in Potts Creek or at such low numbers that detection is extremely difficult. In the Cowpasture River watershed, population status in the Cowpasture and Bullpasture is uncertain with the population in Mill Creek stable (see Table 4, Watson 2010).

Table F-4. Location and Status of James spinymussel populations in the James River Watershed Watershed Tributary County/State Status James River Bullpasture River Highland/VA Unknown James River Calfpasture River Rockbridge/VA Extirpated? James River Catawba Creek Botetourt/VA Extirpated? James River Cowpasture River Bath & Alleghany/VA Stable? James River Mill Creek Bath/VA Stable James River Craig Creek Craig/VA Declining James River Dicks Creek Craig/VA Stable to increasing James River James River mainstem Various Extirpated James River Johns Creek Craig/VA Stable James River Little Oregon Creek Craig/VA Stable to increasing James River Patterson Creek Botetourt/VA Extirpated? James River Pedlar River Amherst/VA Stable James River Potts Creek Monroe/WV Stable James River Potts Creek Craig & Alleghany/VA Extirpated? James River Upper Potts Creek Monroe/WV Stable?

Despite extensive searches, no occurrences of the spinymussel have been located on the Forest (Watson 2010). The 14 miles of potential habitat modeled for this species in the Ecological Sustainability Analysis assumes all of the river mileage is suitable substrate, which is not probable; in all of the watersheds with spinymussels near the Forest, the occurrences are all on private land. The James spinymussel does occur both upstream and downstream from the Forest. Current Forest management provides for water quantity and quality that contributes to the persistence of mussel populations. The main avenues for the Forest to aid in this species recovery are through land acquisition, assisting in augmentation efforts, and working with landowners to protect streams and streamside habitat. Several isolated reaches of habitat on the Forest could provide sites for augmentation if the substrate were suitable. Working cooperatively with State biologists, university experts, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Forest developed a pro-active conservation plan for federally listed fish and mussels in 2004. The standards and guidelines in the plan are implemented in 6th level HUC watersheds that contain listed fish or mussel species. The following watersheds on the Forest are covered by the Federally Listed Mussel and Fish Conservation Plan.

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Table F-5. Sixth Level HUC watersheds on the George Washington National Forest included in the Federally Listed Mussel and Fish Conservation Plan 6th Level HUC Watershed Name 020802010403 Mill Branch-Potts Creek 020802010404 Cast Steel Run-Potts Creek 020802010405 Hays Creek-Potts Creek 020802010601 Wolfe Draft-Cowpasture River* 020802010602 Shaws Fork* 020802010603 Benson Run-Cowpasture River* 020802010701 Scotchtown Draft-Cowpasture River 020802010702 Dry Run* 020802010703 Thompson Creek-Cowpasture River* 020802010801 Mill Creek-Cowpasture River* 020802010803 Simpson Creek-Cowpasture River 020802011201 Rolands Run Branch-Craig Creek 020802011202 Barbours Creek* 020802011205 Roaring Run-Craig Creek 020802011302 Town Branch-Catawba Creek 020802020104 Hamilton Branch* 020802020105 Fridley Branch-Calfpasture River* 020802020106 Cabin Creek-Mill Creek 020802020108 Guys Run-Calfpasture River* 020802020506 Poague Run-Maury River* 020802030201 Lynchburg Reservoir-Pedlar River 020802030202 Browns Creek-Pedlar River 020802030203 Horsley Creek-Pedlar River * No spinymussel occurrence in this watershed, but is found in downstream HUC(s)

Threats

The decline and extirpation of most populations of the James spinymussel may be attributed to habitat modification, sedimentation, eutrophication, and other forms of water quality degradation. Restricted movement of host fish may also be a factor in the decline of this species. For populations of the James spinymussel on or near the Forest, potential management influences include sedimentation, altered flow, and blockage of host fish passage associated with roads and crossings. Forestwide and riparian standards will protect the James spinymussel and its habitat from sediment released during management activities.

A cumulative effects analysis should consider incremental impacts of actions when added to past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions. Cumulative impacts can result from individually minor but collectively significant actions taking place over time. For this document, cumulative effects were analyzed through a two-part watershed analysis, which included resource assessment and management prescription (Reid 1998).

Throughout the planning process, the Forest evaluated watersheds using information including, but not limited to: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality 303d report for impaired waters; Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 305b report on non-point

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source pollution; Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries collection records; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources collection records and reports; local knowledge of forest recovery from past conditions; local knowledge of current watershed problems; macroinvertebrate, stream habitat, and water chemistry information; and geographic information system layers of land use, point source, road and mine locations. Through this resource assessment, the Forest evaluated cumulative watershed effects associated with land use practices at the 5th Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watershed level, and their effect on aquatic fauna and habitat.

Concurrently, the Forest carried out an interdisciplinary analysis looking at interactions between resources with a goal of managing riparian corridors to retain, restore, and /or enhance the inherent ecological processes and functions of the associated aquatic, riparian, and upland components within the corridor, while minimizing effects to aquatic and riparian resources from other activities. This was done through many meetings and discussions, which included not only multi-agency resource professionals, but members of the public as well. From this work, prescriptions, goals, objectives, and standards were developed in order to focus management on riparian, aquatic, and healthy watershed needs. They were designed to not only minimize adverse impacts to aquatic and riparian areas, but to maintain them as healthy, functioning systems.

Resulting from the careful development of prescriptions and standards, there should be beneficial effects on in-stream uses (including federally listed aquatic species) during the implementation of the proposed Forest Plan. These beneficial effects include, but are not limited to: watershed restoration activities, and road and recreation site maintenance, reconstruction, relocation, and/or closure/rehabilitation; control and management of livestock grazing will reduce sediment that is currently entering the stream system. Buffer zone filter strips will limit sediment produced by ground disturbing activities (including road construction, firelines, trails, livestock grazing, wildlife habitat improvements, prescribed and wildland fire, recreation development, and timber harvest) from entering a stream system. Management of streamside areas for riparian purposes and needs will increase large woody debris and shade. Stream crossings of roads and trails will allow the passage of desired aquatic organisms.

Any effects from management activities will be insignificant or discountable; therefore there will be no adverse direct or indirect watershed effects to the James spinymussel. Since it does not occur on the National Forest, the main avenues for the Forest to aid in this species recovery are through educating and working with landowners to protect streams and streamside habitat, and assisting efforts to identify additional suitable habitat and restore these species to historical habitats as appropriate. In some cases, acquisition of lands within the Forest’s Proclamation Boundary may also be part of recovery actions.

Plan Components

The expansion of riparian areas in Alternatives B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I will manage all riparian areas in watersheds that support James spinymussel in line with the Forests’ Federally Listed Mussel and Fish Conservation Plan. Instream flow needs will be quantified and maintained to protect aquatic organisms when new water use authorizations are proposed. Prior to the stocking of any non-native species, the Forest coordinates with the appropriate State agencies to ensure populations and habitats of native species are maintained.

The Forest will manage and protect extant populations and historical habitats of the James spinymussel. Protection and active management will be implemented where the species is physically on or historically occurred on Forest lands. Protection, monitoring, and augmentation will be the primary recovery objectives. Actions will be taken in order to identify additional suitable habitat and restore fish hosts and mussels to areas on Forest lands. Recovery objectives will include annual or bi-annual monitoring within Virginia of representative populations by qualified biologists for populations trend and habitat quality. Monitoring will include either search indices or transects depending on local conditions and mussel densities. Inventories of additional potential habitat will also be conducted.

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3.2.5 MADISON CAVE ISOPOD

Background

The Madison Cave isopod was federally listed as a threatened species in 1982. It is an eyeless, unpigmented, freshwater crustacean, belonging to a family that consists of mostly marine species. It is the only free- swimming stygobitic isopod known in the Appalachians (Holsinger et al. 1994). With a maximum length of 0.7 inches, its body is flattened and bears seven pairs of long walking legs; the first pair are modified as grasping structures (USDI 1996).

The Madison Cave isopod is found in flooded limestone caves beneath the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia where it swims through calcite-saturated waters of deep karst aquifers. It is known from 19 caves and wells, spanning a range 150 miles long and less than 15 miles wide, stretching from Lexington, VA to Charles Town, WV (Hutchins et al. 2010). There are documented population centers in the Waynesboro- Grottoes area (Augusta County, VA), the Harrisonburg area (Rockingham County, VA), and the valley of the main stem of the Shenandoah River (Warren and Clarke counties, VA and Jefferson County, WV) (USDI 2009).

The population size of the Madison Cave isopod is unknown at most sites. Sampling results suggest that the population is dominated by adults. It is thought that the isopod has a lengthy life span and low rate of reproduction; it is unknown how this species reproduces. Feeding habits are unknown, but it is believed to be carnivorous (USDI 2009).

Recent genetic studies of the Madison Cave isopod indicate there are three genetically distinct clades corresponding to three geographic groups of sites. The groups are strongly correlated with the geographic pattern of carbonate rock outcropping in the Shenandoah Valley indicating potential barriers to subterranean hydrologic connectivity (Hutchins et al. 2010).

The Madison Cave isopod is not known from the Forest, the closest occurrence is approximately four miles straight line distance to Forest Service land. To date, all known collections of the Madison Cave isopod have come from caves and wells that tap into the karst aquifer(s) hosted by and formed in Cambro-Ordovician aged carbonate bedrock (limestone and dolostone) of the Great Valley province in Virginia and West Virginia. Orndorff and Hobson (2007) combined Great Valley outcrop areas of the following units from the 1993 Geologic Map of Virginia (VA-DMR, 1993) to create a map of potential habitat for Madison Cave isopods in Virginia: Shady Dolomite, Tomstown Dolomite, Elbrook Formation, Conococheague Formation, Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovocian Formations (undivided), Beekmantown Group (including Stonehenge, Rockdale Run, and Pinesburg Station Formations), and the Edinburg/Lincolnshire/New Market association. The following additional formations have some minor carbonate units, and have a small potential to host the species: Waynesboro Formation, Pumpkin Valley Shale (including Rome Formation). Carbonate rocks in the base of the Martinsburg Formation, immediately adjacent to the Edinburg/Lincolnshire/New Market association, may also host the species, but are generally confined to an area within a few hundred feet of the contact.

Threats

The Madison Cave isopod appears to be long-lived and have low reproductive potential, suggesting that populations are highly sensitive to disturbance. As a subterranean aquatic obligate, potential threats include the loss and modification of habitat (including the surface environment that is their primary source of water and nutrients), groundwater contamination, and groundwater drawdown (USDI 1996). Agriculture and encroaching industrial and urban development threaten the quality and quantity of groundwater habitat and thus the survival of this species (USDI 2009).

To protect Madison Cave isopod habitat, the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service (2009) recommends avoiding chemical and fertilizer use where it could enter a waterway that supports the Madison Cave isopod, maintaining a buffer of natural vegetation along waterbodies and sinkholes to control erosion and reduce run- off, not disposing of waste or other material into sinkholes, fencing livestock out of streams, properly disposing of household wastes, including used motor oil, and properly maintaining septic tanks. Forest Service activities

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meet or exceed all of the above recommendations. Based on the limited amount and type of management proposed in the management prescriptions that intersect with potential Madison Cave isopod habitat, there will be no loss or modification of karst aquifer habitat, groundwater contamination, or groundwater drawdown from Forest Service activities; thus no effect to potential habitat.

The strategy on groundwater issues that cross national forest boundaries and are affected by multiple region- wide impacts such as increased agricultural use, growing urban development, is to focus on sustaining and improving watershed areas within national forest control while working cooperatively with other agencies and landowners to improve statewide watershed health.

The high probability potential Madison Cave isopod habitat identified by Orndorff and Hobson (2007) is 352,205 acres; the Forest Service portion of that is 280 acres, or 0.08%. The medium probability potential habitat is 513,215 acres, with the Forest Service owning 428 acres, or 0.08%.

The species range is the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and West Virginia; it is mostly private land, where agriculture, urban and industrial development dominate the landscape. Because there will be no direct or indirect effects to Madison Cave isopod from Forest Service management activities, and only a fraction (less than a tenth of one percent) of potential habitat is on Forest Service land, any cumulative effects to the quality or quantity of Madison Cave isopod habitat will be from private land.

Plan Components

The potential habitat described above was divided into high, medium, and low probability of Madison Cave isopod occurrence by the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage (Orndorff and Hobson 2007). The high and medium likelihood potential habitat was intersected with Forest Service land boundaries to determine quantity and quality of potential habitat on National Forest. Only about 300 acres on National Forest System lands are in the high probability potential Madison Cave isopod habitat. About 400 acres are in the medium probability potential habitat. With no known populations on the GWNF and the very limited amount of land in potential habitat, none of the alternatives are expected to have any impact on this species.

The high probability potential habitat is within the Remote Backcountry Management Area Prescription (12D) along the western flank of Massanutten Mountain in all alternatives except Alternative C, where it is in Recommended Wilderness. The emphasis for this area is to provide recreation opportunities in large remote, core areas where users can obtain a degree of solitude and the environment can be maintained in a near- natural state. There is little evidence of humans or human activities other than recreation use and nonmotorized trails.

In Alternatives A, B, D, E, G, H and I the majority of the medium probability potential habitat is within the Pastoral Landscapes and Rangelands Management Area Prescription (7G), along the South Fork Shenandoah River; emphasis is on maintaining high quality, generally open landscapes with a pastoral landscape character. These lands are unsuitable for timber production but allow limited recreational facilities, that might include pullouts, small parking areas, trailheads, bulletin boards, interpretive signage, fence stiles, rail, and other fences, and low development trails. In Alternative C the majority of the medium probability potential habitat is in the Eligible Recreation River Corridor Management Area Prescription (2C3).

Based on the limited amount and type of management proposed in the Management Prescriptions of all of the alternatives that intersect with potential Madison Cave isopod habitat, there will be no loss or modification of karst aquifer habitat, groundwater contamination, or groundwater drawdown from Forest Service activities; thus no effect to potential habitat.

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3.2.6 SHALE BARREN ROCK CRESS

Background

Unless otherwise noted, the information used in this analysis comes from NatureServe (accessed in 2012).

Shale barren rockcress was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act on August 8, 1989. It is an endemic of shale deposits, occurring only on sparsely-vegetated xeric, south or west-facing shale slopes (barrens) at elevations generally ranging from 1300 to 2600 feet. Populations are known from both the shale openings and shale woodlands adjacent to the shale openings. All extant occurrences are on shales of Devonian age (Ludwig pers. comm.); a single occurrence was known from the Martinsburg shale of Ordovician age, but it is no longer extant. This narrow endemic is known only from shale barren regions of Virginia and West Virginia and is one of the most restricted shale barren endemics. According to NatureServe, approximately 56 occurrences are believed extant, 34 in Virginia and 22 in West Virginia, of these, most are made up of fewer than 50 individuals; there are perhaps fewer than 4,000 plants altogether. Most occurrences are on public lands, predominantly National Forests.

Recovery tasks for the Forest identified in the shale barren rockcress Recovery Plan include: Implement and evaluate the monitoring program.

The following is from the Forest’s Monitoring and Evaluation Report 2004: “In 1993 there were 17 known occurrences of shale barren rockcress on the Forest. The Forest’s focus since this species was listed has been to attempt to locate additional populations and further define its range on the Forest. From 1994 to 1998 agency personnel worked cooperatively with the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage and the USFWS to inventory shale barrens on the Forest (Belden, Ludwig, and Van Alstine 1999). The Virginia Division of Natural Heritage identified 809 potential shale barrens from aerial photographs. Of these, 188 were examined for rare species. The inventory resulted in 27 new occurrences of shale barren rockcress, bringing the total known sites on the Forest (in Virginia) to 42. This number does not include two sites where shale barren rockcress was known to occur recently, but could not be found in 1994. In 2004 the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources discovered a new population of shale barren rockcress at the Little Fork North Shale Barren.”

Currently on the Forest there are 26 Special Biological Areas (SBAs) in Virginia and 8 SBAs in West Virginia that support shale barren rockcress. These SBAs contain all of the known shale barren rockcress populations on the Forest. Within those sites the plants may be in more than one location. Depending on how one counts populations or subpopulations, there are about 75 occurrences of this species on the Forest. The Arabis serotina Recovery Task Force and the Shale Barren Protection Strategy Group devised a monitoring plan for shale barren rockcress in 1993. The plan calls for monitoring this species at several sites across its range by the WVDNR between 15 August and 5 September each year, and all other sites every five years. This protocol was followed from 1993 through 2001 in WV. In 2001, it was decided that, to limit the impact of repeatedly crossing the barrens, monitoring would be conducted biennially at the Little Fork and Brandywine shale barrens in Pendleton County, as opposed to every year. In 2011 the VDNH and the USFWS entered into an agreement to resurvey all sites on U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands in Virginia to determine their persistence and to provide information needed to enable permanent protection measures to be taken by the USFS in cooperation with the Service.

Although adequate moisture is available for most plants within the substrata of the shale layers, adverse surface conditions act to restrict germination and establishment success of plants (Platt 1951). It is primarily the effect of high surface temperatures that limits plant reproductive success in these habitats. Surface soil temperatures are often well above the physiological tolerance of most plant species, reaching maximum temperatures of 63 degrees Celsius (Dix 1990). Such temperatures are high enough to cause direct damage to seedlings. For additional detailed information pertaining to the shale-barren community, see Dix (1990).

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Recovery tasks for the Forest identified in the shale barren rock cress Recovery Plan include: implement and evaluate the monitoring program.

Recovery tasks for the Forest identified in the shale barren rockcress Recovery Plan include:

1. Implement and evaluate the monitoring program.

Threats

Threats include:

· Construction of roads, railroads, and hiking trails has impacted occurrences in the past; several occurrences are now located adjacent to these corridors where they may be impacted by erosion or maintenance activities. · Flood control measures are a potential threat at some locations (e.g. South Fork Valley of West Virginia) (Bartgis in lit.); one barren has already been destroyed by a stream dam (Dix 1990). · Most extant occurrences are moderately to severely browsed by deer, which is considered by some to be a prime threat to the species (USFWS 1989); quantifying the impact of deer browsing is an area of active research (Ludwig pers. comm.). · Moderately xeric sites may be subject to encroachment of exotic plant species such as Centauria biebersteinii and numerous grasses (Dix 1990). Such encroachment is a particular concern for Arabis serotina since it does not tolerate competition well; it is generally restricted to the more open portions shale barren communities. · A significant threat to the insect pollinators of A. serotina is presented by the spraying of Dimilin and BT insecticides for gypsy moth control. Because of the open habitat, shale barren insects are maximally exposed to pesticides (Dix 1990). Dimilin is a broad-spectrum biocide that persists until leaf fall and up to a few years in the duff and would have a long-term impact of shale-barren slopes. All insect occurrences on shale barrens sprayed with Dimilin should be considered extirpated (Schweitzer in litt). BT is lepidopteran-specific and only persists for roughly one week (Dix 1990). Application during larval development may have devastating impacts on the fauna. · Finally, the very small number of individuals within many occurrences suggests that the long-term persistence of these occurrences is uncertain, especially considering that populations tend to fluctuate dramatically.

The term "shale barren" is a general reference to certain mid-Appalachian slopes that possess the following features: 1) southern exposures, 2) slopes of 20-70 degrees and 3) a covering of lithologically hard and weather-resistant shale or siltstone fragments (Dix 1990). These barrens support sparse, scrubby growth; frequently-observed species include Quercus ilicifolia, Q. prinus, Q. rubra, Pinus virginiana, Juniperus virginiana, Prunus alleghaniensis, Rhus aromatica, Celtis tenuifolia, Kalmia latifolia, Bouteloua curtipendula, Andropogon scoparius, Phlox subulata var. brittonii, Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica, Sedum telephoides, Antennaria spp., Aster spp., and Solidago spp. (Dix 1990). Local variations in associated flora may be considerable (Braunschweig et al. 1999; Jarrett et al. 1996; Keener 1970; Keener 1983; Wieboldt 1987).

Although adequate moisture is available for most plants within the substrata of the shale layers, adverse surface conditions act to restrict germination and establishment success of plants (Platt 1951). It is primarily the effect of high surface temperatures that limits plant reproductive success in these habitats. Surface soil temperatures are often well above the physiological tolerance of most plant species, reaching maximum temperatures of 63 degrees Celsius (Dix 1990). Such temperatures are high enough to cause direct damage to seedlings. For additional detailed information pertaining to the shale-barren community, see Dix (1990).

Because of the highly stressful nature of shale barren environments, this species is not believed to be capable of tolerating much additional disturbance. Specific threats (NatureServe 2012) include:

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1) Construction of roads, railroads, and hiking trails has impacted occurrences in the past; several occurrences are now located adjacent to these corridors where they may be impacted by erosion or maintenance activities. 2) Flood control measures are a potential threat at some locations (e.g. South Fork Valley of West Virginia) (Bartgis in litt.); one barren has already been destroyed by a stream dam (Dix 1990). 3) Most extant occurrences are moderately to severely browsed by deer, which is considered by some to be a prime threat to the species (USFWS 1989); quantifying the impact of deer browsing is an area of active research (Ludwig pers. comm. and WVDNR 2011). 4) Moderately xeric sites may be subject to encroachment of exotic plant species such as Centauria maculata and numerous grasses (Dix 1990). Such encroachment is a particular concern for Arabis serotina since it does not tolerate competition well; it is generally restricted to the more open portions shale barren communities. 5) A significant threat to the insect pollinators of A. serotina is presented by the spraying of Dimilin and BT insecticides for gypsy moth control. Because of the open habitat, shale barren insects are maximally exposed to pesticides (Dix 1990). Dimilin is a broad-spectrum biocide that persists until leaf fall and up to a few years in the duff and would have a long-term impact of shale-barren slopes. All insect occurrences on shale-barrens sprayed with Dimilin should be considered extirpated (Schweitzer in litt). BT is lepidopteran-specific and only persists for roughly one week (Dix 1990). Application during larval development may have devastating impacts on the lepidopteran fauna. 6) The very small number of individuals within many occurrences suggests that the long-term persistence of these occurrences is uncertain, especially considering that populations tend to fluctuate dramatically. 7) Fire suppression is a potential threat. In his draft report on the classification of West Virginia shale barrens, Vanderhorst (in Norris and Sullivan 2002) states: “A potential threat to shale barrens is succession, or woody encroachment. Although shale barrens are usually thought to be edaphicly [sic] maintained, it is possible that disturbance such as fire may have some role in maintaining the open physiognomy necessary for survival of shale barren endemics. Fire may be a factor in some shale barren community types and not in others. It is possible that the high cover by deciduous woody species in plots of this community type is due to fire suppression and that the quality of these barrens is declining. Fire is thought to have played a historical role in maintenance of white pine-mixed oak communities near shale barrens on the Greenbrier District of the Monongahela National Forest and in the absence of fire these communities appear to be succeeding towards dominance by more mesophytic species (Abrams et al. 1995). Research into the historical role of fire in maintaining shale barrens is needed to determine appropriate management of this rare community.”

Fire The specific role of fire in relation to shale barren rockcress is uncertain. No in-depth studies have been conducted about the direct or indirect effects of fire on this species; however, an increasing number of studies are showing the historical importance of fire in the Central Appalachians in shaping vegetation communities. Shale barren rockcress habitat is on extremely xeric south to southwest facing slopes in oak forests that are prone to wildfire. It would seem logical that fire would periodically burn through forest communities containing shale barren habitat and there is an increasing body of research that shows, until the early 1900s when fire suppression became universal, that fires occurred regularly on the Central Appalachian landscape. Abrams and others (1995) studied a forest that is transitional between the Ridge and Valley and Appalachian Plateau in Greenbrier County, WV. They concluded that without active management, including the use of prescribed fire, the present white pine-oak forest would transition to a more mesic maple-beech-hemlock forest. Lafon (2010) discusses the role of fire in table mountain pine-pitch pine stands. These pine types are found on dry ridgetops and south to west facing slopes often similar to areas supporting shale barrens. Dendroecological work shows these stands burned frequently in the past, with a regime of frequent surface fires at intervals of 2 to 10 years, and more severe burns at 50 to 100 years intervals. The surface fires maintained open understories needed by shade intolerant herbs and small shrubs. The more severe burns exposed mineral soil and created large canopy gaps enabling shade intolerant pine seedlings to become established. Lafon goes on to discuss the ‘fire-oak’ hypothesis which posits that many oak forests developed during many centuries of frequent burning. Fire benefits oaks by inhibiting fire sensitive tree species, which do not have oaks’ protective bark, ability to compartmentalize fire damaged wood to prevent decay spread, extensive root systems, and strong sprouting ability. Aldrich and others (2010) studied fire chronology from 1704 to 2003 of trees on Mill Mountain in Bath County, VA on the Forest in an area where at least 10 Arabis serotina populations occur

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within 3.5 miles. They found a local fire return interval of about 5 years from the early 1700s until 1930 when fire suppression began. They also found that area-wide fires affecting multiple pine stands were common, recurring approximately every 16 years. The fires were frequent surface fires with occasional severe ones. In the Rough Mountain Wilderness, on the National Forest near the Mill Mountain study site, there were two lightning caused wildfires in 1999 alone (S. Croy pers. comm.). Aldrich and others (2010) conclude that “The greatest impact of industrial society is fire exclusion, which permitted hardwood establishment.” There has been a trend since the initiation of widespread fire suppression of pine stands being overtaken by hardwoods in general, and of oak species being replaced by fire intolerant species such as red maple, white pine, tulip poplar, beech, and black gum (Groninger et al. 2005; Harrod and White 1999; Lafon and Grissino-Mayer 2005; Schuler and McLain 2003). It is possible that prescribed burning can halt and perhaps reverse this “mesophication” (Nowacki and Abrams 2008) of the forest.

Most shale barrens have little to no fuel loading so fire intensity, if any, would be expected to be low on the barren itself. Platt (1951) states fires are not a causal agent in shale barren formation. He goes on to say that “Fires in this region are quite rare and localized. Since shale barrens surfaces are bare and tree cover sparse, they usually escape even those fires which completely surround them. Careful examination of tree trunks gave no indication of fire scars.” It could well be that Platt’s observations are the result of the vigorous program of fire suppression. His comments about the fate of shale barrens in the event of fire are important. The lack of fuel loading would make fire spread nearly impossible in the shale barren environment. However, periodic fire might open and maintain habitat adjacent to the shale barren allowing shale barren rockcress populations to persist or expand. The LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model for Appalachian Shale Barrens states that “The absence or sparseness of fuel makes fire relatively unimportant on the barrens themselves, but is likely important in maintaining the adjacent pine and pine-oak dominated woodlands and limiting their encroachment along the barren-woodland edge. Likewise the “shale ridge bald” is maintained by edaphic conditions, but fire is likely important in limiting tree and shrub encroachment” (Croy and Smith 2009). Jarrett and others (1996) conducted an ecological study of shale barren rockcress on property managed by the U.S. Navy in West Virginia. In comparing their vegetation data with data collected ten years earlier they note that “(tree) canopies have closed somewhat at various West Virginia shale barrens, and that some shale barren endemics are no longer there.” They suggest that controlled burning or periodic thinning of the canopy may be necessary to set back plant succession (see discussion of mesophication above). This view is echoed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources factsheet on shale barren rockcress (accessed online in 2012), “Some observations suggests [sic] that some shale barrens may not always remain barren and dry. Over time, it is possible for conditions there to change, and more trees may eventually grow on them. If more trees grow there, shale barren rockcress may not be able to survive.” Several prescribed burns on the Forest in the past included shale barren rockcress habitat and plants.

Fire that burns immediately adjacent to shale barren rockcress plants might have a negative effect depending on the fire’s intensity and duration. The higher the intensity and the longer the duration of fire exposure, the greater the effect and an individual plant may be killed. Fire may also have a beneficial effect as noted above. In the past, fire was considered to not be an important factor on shale barrens, especially if they are larger (larger buffer of the interior from fire) and/or steeper (less fuel build up on steep slopes). Since shale barren rockcress plants are usually more abundant in the more open parts of shale barrens, plants growing on smaller shale barrens would be more susceptible to encroachment by woody plants in the absence of fire, although all barrens could be affected to some extent. In addition to potentially enhancing seed germination, plant growth, and flowering and fruiting, fire could open the canopy on the periphery of shale barrens benefitting shale barren rockcress plants. Frequent low intensity fires would have a protective effect by lessening fuel loading in the vicinity of shale barrens and reducing fire intensity and duration. Observations have also shown that deer browse is lessened on rockcress plants when the areas around shale barrens have been burned. This is likely due to increased browse available as the result of coppice growth from top-killed trees and shrubs. This effect lasts for several years as coppicing continues and berry and nut production increases.

There are possible threats to shale barren communities from invasive native and exotic species, deer browsing, and mesophication.

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Plan Components

All known locations of shale barren rock cress on the Forest in WV and VA are on land allocated to management prescription 4D, Special Biological Areas. Habitat for this species is stable on the Forest. There are possible threats to shale barren communities from invasive native and exotic species. Populations appear stable, but since they naturally tend to fluctuate greatly from year to year, this is uncertain. Potential habitat is being inventoried and continues to reveal new populations that will be protected. Management activities are having no effect on the habitat that contains the shale barren rock cress and thus are having no effect on the rock cress.

Overall, viability is being maintained through identification and protection of occurrences, however, viability is still of concern due to the naturally limited distribution of this species. Shale barren rock cress populations are expected to remain relatively stable in the near future.

The Forest encompasses several populations of the endemic shale barren rock cress that are in the core of its limited distribution in the Northern Ridge and Valley Section of the mid-Appalachians. This species is inherently rare and not well distributed across the Forest. Current management provides for ecological conditions capable to maintain the shale barren rock cress populations considering its limited distribution and abundance. Overall, ecological conditions are sufficient on the Forest to maintain viability (persistence over time) of populations on national forest land.

3.2.7 SMOOTH CONE FLOWER

Background

Unless otherwise noted, the information used in this analysis comes from NatureServe (accessed in 2010).

Smooth coneflower was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act on September 8, 1992. This species is known from about 100 occurrences, a majority of which are of fair to poor viability in several southeastern states. Most historically known populations were destroyed by development and habitat alteration, especially the suppression of fire, and a number of remaining populations are primarily in marginal locations, where they are vulnerable to urbanization, the use of herbicides, repeated mowing, and potentially, collection for the medicinal trade. Small remote populations may suffer from loss of habitat due to succession. The Recovery Plan for smooth coneflower does not have any recovery tasks specific to the Forest.

Formerly a plant of prairie-like habitats or oak-savannas maintained by natural or Native American-set fires as well as large herbivores (such as bison), it now primarily occurs in openings in woods, such as cedar barrens and clear cuts, along roadsides and utility line rights-of-way, and on dry limestone bluffs. It is usually found in areas with magnesium and calcium-rich soils and requires full or partial sun. Associated species include: Juniperus virginiana and Eryngium yuccifolium. Fire or some other suitable form of disturbance, such as well- timed mowing or the careful clearing of trees, is essential to maintaining the glade remnants upon which this species depends. Without such periodic disturbance, the habitat is overtaken by shrubs and trees [Endangered Spp. Tech. Bull. 17(1-2): 9-10].

Threats

Habitat loss and degradation due to habitat alteration affected 19 of 21 populations known in 1992 (USFWS 1992). Conversion of habitat to agriculture and/or silviculture, residential and industrial development, and highway maintenance (e.g., herbicides) has threatened this species in the past and may continue. Habitat loss and degradation as a result of prolonged fire suppression is also considered a major threat to the species' habitat. Commercial digging was not thought to be a problem as this practice is generally confined to Echinacea populations west of the Mississippi River. However, the Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project (2002) reported that this showy species with medicinal uses is occasionally harvested. Remaining populations appear to be small in numbers which may result in low genetic diversity.

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Plan Components

All known locations of smooth coneflower on the Forest are on lands allocated to management prescription 4D, Special Biological Areas. There are currently two known populations of this species on the Forest. Both are in Alleghany County. One is a roadside occurrence that continues to be difficult to manage due to the steepness of the site and encroaching woody vegetation. This population is very small and may not be viable over the long term. The second population is more robust and occurs in an open woodland area. The site needs prescribed fire to maintain the open conditions this species requires.

3.2.8 VIRGINIA SNEEZEWEED

Background

Unless otherwise noted, the information used in this analysis comes from NatureServe (accessed in 2010).

Virginia sneezeweed was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act on November 3, 1998. A limited amount of habitat in two Virginia counties and six Missouri counties make up this species' entire global range. There are currently 61 documented occurrences, although 4 or fewer may not be extant, with the majority in Missouri as of 2006. The Virginia occurrences were located during extensive survey work from 1985 to 1995 in over 100 limestone sinkhole ponds along the western edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (USFWS 1998). The Virginia occurrences are restricted to small, discrete areas around sinkholes, and occupying, in total, less than 20 acres (8 ha). Missouri occurrences occupy ca. 11 acres within both discrete and less discrete wetland habitat. Seven Virginia occurrences are currently protected by being on National Forest land. Only 9 Missouri occurrences have some protection although it is not complete. Sites in both states are threatened by drainage and residential development.

The number of Virginia documented occurrences has been revised downward to 17 by using a 1 km separation distance between occurrences (J. Townsend, VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation 2006 pers. comm.) These 17 occurrences had previously been recognized as 30 occurrences, with an occurrence at that time being equal to the plants within a discrete pond or wet meadow. It is expected that additional survey work will find more occurrences; some of these may be within the more disturbed farm pond type of habitat. In fact, a new, small population was found on the Forest in 2009 by VDNH cooperators (C. Ludwig pers. comm.). Based on what was known at the time the draft Recovery Plan was written in 2000 there were 4 sites where plants had not been seen over several years of surveys (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2000).

The Draft Recovery Plan includes the Forest in the following recovery tasks: · Seek permanent protection for known populations. · Identify essential habitat. · Identify sinkhole habitat adjacent to the National Forest lands, but within the proclamation boundary, to target for future acquisitions by the GWJNF. · Conduct studies to characterize environmental parameters of the sinkhole ponds. · Conduct studies to characterize the hydrologic regime at selected sinkhole ponds. · Alleviate site specific threats as the need and opportunity arise. · Develop a monitoring plan including standard monitoring methodologies. · Implement the monitoring plan. · Conduct surveys for additional populations in Virginia. · Develop guidelines as to what constitutes a self-sustaining population. · Maintain seed sources for the species.

On the Forest all known populations of Virginia sneezeweed are located in Augusta County except for a very small population that was located in 2009 between Glasgow and Buena Vista in Rockbridge County.

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Threats

In Virginia the long-term viability of existing populations is primarily threatened by human-induced disruptions of hydrologic regimes, particularly by encroaching agriculture, residential land development, and logging (Van Alstine 1991; J. Knox, C. Williams pers. obs.). In addition, a private site and adjacent sites on the George Washington National Forest are sporadically impacted by off road vehicles (e.g., during summer 1991 on the private land; J. Knox, C. Williams, pers. obs.).

Exotic organisms may pose threats to H. virginicum populations in the near future. Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is slowly spreading through Virginia and may eventually invade some H. virginicum sites, especially following disturbances to hydrologic regime and/or substrate. The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, is currently defoliating large areas of the George Washington National Forest and adjacent lands but it is unclear whether the gypsy moth will negatively impact H. virginicum populations. For example, as H. virginicum is shade- intolerant, defoliation of trees and shrubs that grow on the periphery of sinkholes may increase light availability and allow H. virginicum to expand into areas from which it was formerly excluded.

The following paragraphs are taken, with modifications, from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2000): The most serious threat to H. virginicum appears to be habitat loss, most often arising from changes in the natural hydrological regime of the sinkhole pond habitat. Four of the sites, three of which are grazed by cattle, have had a portion of the wetland deepened to create a permanent pond; prior to being excavated, much of this section once undoubtedly supported H. virginicum and so loss of some habitat has occurred. In contrast, actions have been taken at some of the Virginia sites to stop or lessen the periodic inundation. Significant ditches have been dug at two sites, with smaller ditching at three sites. Ditching and plowing occurred at one site in the past, and some evidence of the ditch remains, but does not significantly affect the hydrologic regime. Portions of the sites at 2 sites have been filled in. It is safe to assume that the pressure to control seasonal flooding will only increase, as the area of the Shenandoah Valley where the Virginia populations of H. virginicum are found is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the building and expansion of residential subdivisions.

In addition to obvious hydrological alterations made directly to the sinkhole ponds, off-site actions may affect the hydrology of the ponds. Input from groundwater sources may be decreased by withdrawals for wells for adjacent developments such as subdivisions. Overland surface water flow may be altered by activities such as timber harvesting or road building in upslope areas. Little is known about the relative importance of groundwater vs. surface flow to the hydrological regime of the sinkhole ponds, but preliminary research suggests that the relative importance of these water sources is unique for each pond (E. Knapp, Washington and Lee University pers. comm.).

A variety of site-specific threats to H. virginicum from habitat loss have appeared over the last ten years. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has proposed to widen to four lanes Route 340, a currently two lane north-south corridor on the east side of the Shenandoah Valley. A portion of one site in Augusta County is immediately east of Route 340. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Division of Natural Heritage reviewed the proposal for this project in 1991 and recommended against any road widening to the east in the area of the pond and further recommended that VDOT consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before any construction began. While the long range plans still include widening Rt. 340 to 4 lanes in this section, this project is not active; VDOT will coordinate with USFWS whenever the project becomes active (S. Stannard, VDOT pers. comm.)

Another H. virginicum population is near the site of silos built in the early 1990s that are used to store septic waste. This waste is eventually dumped on the ground elsewhere on this landowners' ridge-top property and not near the H. virginicum site. However, in a 1995 site visit by DCR-DNH a large pile of soil was present on the north side of the shallow basin that supports the H. virginicum population. The landowner was considering pushing the soil into the seasonally wet basin to level it out, but was agreeable to not do that. In a 1997 site visit the pile was still present and was larger than in 1995. In 1995 and 1997, it was noted that sediment from the pile had washed into the edge of the pond site, creating different soil conditions in that area and making it more favorable for weedy species (DCR-DNH database).

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Mowing occurs in at least 3 of the Virginia sites. Continued mowing may provide beneficial effects to the species; a site that is one of the largest if not the largest and densest population, has been periodically mowed and bush-hogged by the landowner for an extended period of time. Repeated mowing before seed is set and the seed bank is replenished, may lead to local extinction as vegetative plants die out and the seed bank ultimately becomes depleted.

Herbivory does not appear to be a problem; however, the threat to H. virginicum from cattle grazing needs evaluation. Large populations of H. virginicum co-exist in three sites with cattle grazing. This suggests that the species may respond favorably to limited amounts of disturbance. Knox and others (1999) tested the hypothesis that H. virginicum is unpalatable to generalist herbivores in a common garden study; none of the H. virginicum plants were grazed by either vertebrate or invertebrate herbivores. Knox notes that this is consistent with reports of toxicity in other Helenium species associated with the presence of sesquiterpene lactones (Hesker 1982; Anderson et al. 1983; Anderson et al. 1986; Arnason et al. 1987). Helenium virginicum has been shown to contain a sesquiterpene lactone, virginolide (Herz and Santhanam 1967). According to J.S. Knox (pers. comm.), the leaves of H. virginicum are bitter-tasting; selective grazing by cattle of more palatable associated species therefore may eliminate plant competitors. However, other effects on H. virginicum from cattle grazing such as the increased nutrient loads, soil compaction, and trampling of plants are unknown. As the soils of the H. virginicum sites have been found to be nutrient-limiting (Knox 1997), long-term nutrient enrichment from cattle could ultimately create more favorable habitat for other plant species.

With federally listed wetland species, the federal permitting process carried out by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) under authority of the Clean Water Act of 1977, is often the point at which proposed actions can be reviewed in light of their effect on a federally listed species and protection actions can be recommended. The isolated and often small seasonally wet habitat of Helenium virginicum, however, does not currently have direct federal protection. United States vs. Wilson 133 F. 3d 251(4th Cir. 1997) ruled that the USACOE has no jurisdiction over isolated water bodies that have no surface connection with any tributary stream that flows into traditional navigable waters or interstate waters. Nationwide Permit 26, under federal wetlands regulations (56 CFR 59134-59147, Part 330-Nationwide Permit Program), which has applied to headwater areas and isolated wetlands, is currently being revised including a lower minimum acreage (1/10 acre); the Norfolk District of the USACOE is proposing a regional minimum threshold of 1/4 acre (E. Gilinsky, DEQ, pers. comm.). These lower minimum acreages, however, will not apply to the Helenium virginicum habitat if the ruling in U.S. vs. Wilson stands.

Currently, so-called Tulloch ditching, draining by ditching in which excavation occurs by mechanical means that do not require placing excavated material into a wetland and in which the material is lifted and hauled to an upland disposal site, does not require that USACOE be notified or a permit obtained. Major ditching has been used at three of the H. virginicum sites to control the seasonal flooding with more minor ditching used at another three sites.

As most of the populations of H. virginicum are on private lands, the current legal protections in place for this species will not be adequate to insure the long-term survival of H. virginicum. The effects of future regulation changes are not known.

Extremes in the fluctuating hydroperiod of the sinkhole ponds could, when preceded by low investment in the seed bank, result in the local extinction of populations. Extended drought at a site could make a site more favorable for colonization by other plants previously hampered by the periodic inundation of the site. This would include tree species, which could result in increased shading within the site and so reduce the areas favorable for H. virginicum. An extended period of inundation, coupled with development of a floating vegetation mat, such as occurred at one site (Knox 1997), could lead to local extinction if an insufficient seed bank existed to recover from the death of the vegetative plants. Either of these extremes in hydroperiod could result from normal variability in weather patterns or from larger scale climate changes, of either natural or human origin.

If found to hold true for other populations of H. virginicum, the self-incompatible breeding system of H. virginicum found in one of the populations may eventually lead to local extinction at sites with low population numbers as the chance of successful pollination decreases (Messmore and Knox 1997).

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In Missouri threats include grazing and/or trampling of plants in the pasture sites and haying of the plants during the growing season. Herbicide or plant growth hormones used on roadside pose a threat to the roadside populations.

Plan Components

All known locations of Virginia sneezeweed on the Forest are on land allocated to 4D Special Biological Areas. These Special Biological Areas are managed specifically to restore and maintain conditions to benefit the community and/or rare species for which the area was established. There are still threats from illegal ATV use on this species.

3.2.9 SWAMP PINK

Background

Unless otherwise noted, the information used in this analysis comes from NatureServe (accessed in 2010).

Swamp pink was listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act on September 9, 1988. Helonias bullata is known from the Coastal Plain of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia (formerly also Staten Island, NY, where now extirpated), as well as from higher elevations in northern New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Restricted to forested wetlands that are perennially water-saturated with a low frequency of inundation, habitat specificity appears to be a critical factor in this species' rarity. Approximately 225 occurrences are believed extant, over half of which are in New Jersey; 80 additional occurrences are considered historical and 15 are extirpated. The species is locally abundant at several sites in New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina; some have 10,000+ clumps of plants. In addition to sites known to have been extirpated, significant habitat has been lost throughout the range due to factors such as drainage for agriculture. A number of local population declines have also been documented in the past 20 years. Degradation of this species' sensitive habitat via changes to the hydrologic regime is the primary threat. Such changes can be direct (ditching, damming, draining) or indirect (from development in the watershed); indirect impacts are particularly difficult to address. Other threats include poor water quality, invasive species, trash, all-terrain vehicles, deer herbivory, trampling, and collection. Given this species' very specific hydrological requirements, climate change could also be an issue. H. bullata has limited ability to colonize new sites (low incidence of flowering, limited seed dispersal, and poor seedling establishment) and low genetic variation, limiting its ability to adapt to changing conditions and recover when sites are destroyed.

Overall trends of local population declines and extirpations are beginning to emerge (USFWS 2007). The number of occurrences considered historic has increased from 79 to 97 since 1991, a loss of 18 sites (8 in NJ, 8 in DE, and 2 in NC) (USFWS 2007). More than 20 occurrences in New Jersey and Delaware alone have documented declines in population size or condition since the early 1990s (USFWS 2007). In New Jersey, the number of occurrences ranked A or B has decreased by 7 since 1991; comparing occurrence ranks from 1997 and 2004, 6 occurrences were upgraded while 20 were downgraded (USFWS 2007). Of the 27 occurrences discovered in Delaware between 1983 and 1999, 16 showed substantial declines in plant numbers during the most recent site visits (USFWS 2007).

Recovery tasks for Federal agencies in the swamp pink Recovery Plan include:

· Monitor threats to extant sites. · Develop and maintain site-specific conservation plans. · Enforce regulations protecting the species and its wetland habitat. · Investigate population dynamics, using a standard method. · Identify and, as needed, implement management techniques.

Threats

Habitat degradation is the primary range wide threat. This degradation is difficult to address through either land protection or regulatory mechanisms because it is often brought about by off-site land uses, particularly

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development. Evidence of detrimental effects of development on H. bullata habitat and population quality continues to accumulate; such impacts are anticipated to worsen as development continues (USFWS 2007). A major component of habitat degradation is changes to the hydrologic regime. Such changes can be direct (e.g., ditching, damming, draining) or indirect (i.e., from development in the watershed). Indirect impacts often result from increased impervious surface in the watershed, which reduces infiltration and increases overland flow of stormwater, leading to increased stream erosion, wetland sedimentation, flood volumes and velocities, water level fluctuations, and hydrologic drought (USFWS 2007). Other components of degradation associated with adjacent development include poor water quality, invasive exotic species, trash, all-terrain vehicles, herbivory by overabundant deer populations, trampling, and collection (USFWS 2007). Direct habitat losses have slowed, but historical losses were substantial (USFWS 2007). Because this species requires a very specific hydrology in order to thrive, climate change, which has the potential to either increase or decrease water levels at established sites, is an anticipated threat. For example, increased drought in southern Appalachians mountain bogs may already be having detrimental impacts. Also, about 10% of known occurrences are in areas with increased vulnerability to coastal flooding due to sea level rise (USFWS 2007).

The specific wetland habitat required by this species is easily degraded through both direct and secondary disturbances; among the wetland types it inhabits, some such as sphagnum bogs and Atlantic white cedar swamps are particularly fragile. A low incidence of flowering, limited seed dispersal, and poor seedling establishment combine to make colonization of new sites via reproduction from seed rare for this species (Godt et al. 1995; USFWS 2007). Finally, Godt and others (1995) found low overall genetic diversity both within the species and within populations, even relative to the means found for other endemic and narrowly distributed species. This suggests that H. bullata may have limited capacity to adapt to future environmental change.

Habitat specificity appears to be the critical factor in defining H. bullata as a rare species (USFWS 2007). Adapted to stable habitats with a number of specialized conditions (e.g., low light, limited nutrients, and saturated soils), this species appears to compete poorly when change in one or more habitat parameters creates an opportunity for the establishment of other species (USFWS 2007). Habitat availability may be a limiting factor across much of the range; Coastal Plain forested headwater wetlands have been significantly reduced by development, and mountain bogs are both historically uncommon and impacted by agricultural conversion (USFWS 2007). Nevertheless, the New Jersey Pine Barrens contain some apparently suitable but unoccupied sites, suggesting that this species' habitat requirements are not fully understood and/or that low dispersal limits colonization of these areas (USFWS 2007). Efforts to create or restore H. bullata habitat have had limited success (USFWS 2007).

Plan Components

All known occurrences of swamp pink are on land that will be allocated to 4D, Special Biological Areas, and/or 1A Designated Wilderness. These Special Biological Areas are managed specifically to restore and maintain conditions to benefit the community and/or rare species for which the area was established. Herbivory and shading may continue to be threats. Use of wildland fire may be a tool to reduce shading in some areas.

3.2.10 NORTHEASTERN BULRUSH

Background

Unless otherwise noted, the information used in this analysis comes from NatureServe (accessed in 2010).

Northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1991. Populations are known from MA, MD, NH, NY (presumed extirpated), PA, VA, VT, and WV. The habitat seems to vary geographically, although there are not enough sites to allow generalizations to be made. However, one does observe that in the south, sinkhole ponds are the most common habitat for the plant, and in the north, other kinds of wetlands, including beaver-influenced wetlands, provide suitable habitat. When this species was listed as endangered there were 33 known populations. As of 2007, there were about 113 extant occurrences known in the Appalachians from southern Vermont and New Hampshire to western Virginia, with most occurrences in Pennsylvania.

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Most populations are in Pennsylvania (70) and Vermont (22) (USFWS 2008). The other populations are in Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), New Hampshire (9), Virginia (7), and West Virginia (3) (USFWS 2008). There are about ten historical occurrences: New York (1), Pennsylvania (7), Virginia (1), Quebec (1). The plants are restricted to fairly specific wetland habitats that are infrequent, especially in the southern part of the range.

Various threats are associated with the habitat, including drainage and development, agricultural runoff, and any developments that could alter the local hydrology. Additional, unsurveyed habitat does exist, and more populations of this species may be found in the future if the potential habitats remain intact.

Long-term monitoring of known sites is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about the habitat needs of the plant, or about the stability of its populations in changing environments.

The implementation schedule for the northeastern bulrush recovery plan (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 1993) includes five items that directly relate to Forest Service management:

· Secure permanent protection for known populations; · Resurvey sites thought to have suitable habitat; · Verify, monitor, and protect any additional populations; · Identify potentially suitable habitat for additional surveys; and · Survey potential sites.

Throughout its range, northeastern bulrush is found in open, tall herb-dominated wetlands. Often it grows at the water's edge, or in a few centimeters of water, but it may also be in fairly deep water (0.3-0.9 m) or away from standing water. In the southern part of its range, the most common habitat is sinkhole ponds, usually in sandstone. Water levels in these ponds tend to vary both with the season and from year to year. At least one site (in Massachusetts) is in a sand plain, where water level fluctuates as well. Two sites in Vermont are influenced to some extent by beaver activity as well as other hydrological factors.

With the information available it is difficult to compare sites throughout the plant's range. For example, lists of associated species may represent an entire wetland or the immediate vicinity of the plant, but this is not always possible to determine from available information. Nevertheless, examination of field reports indicates that there is considerable variety in associated species. A few species, however, are common to several of the sites. These are Dulichium arundinaceum, Scirpus cyperinus sens. lat., Glyceria canadensis, and Triadenum virginicum.

Virginia. There are seven extant northeastern bulrush sites in Virginia, with two ranked as A/AB, two ranked B/BC, and one ranked E. The status of most of these sites is unknown because they have not been surveyed since the 1980s or 1990s. Habitat includes emergent ridgetop shallow ponds, shallow sinkhole depressions and mountainside bench ponds. Four sites are located on private land, three are on public land, and ownership of one site is undetermined. In Virginia, the northeastern bulrush is listed as State endangered; however, no additional protection (e.g., buffers) is afforded to wetlands supporting the species. No upland buffers are regulated or protected around any wetlands in the State. The northeastern bulrush is protected under the Endangered Plant and Insect Species Act of 1979, which prohibits take without a permit, but individual landowners are exempt from these permitting requirements.

West Virginia. There are three northeastern bulrush populations in West Virginia, two of which are ranked B, and one of which is ranked D. According to the U.Ss Fish and Wildlife Service 5-year status review for northeastern bulrush these occurrences were surveyed and last observed in 2005, however, known populations on Forest Service property have been resurveyed (Cipollini and Cipollini 2011) and monitored annually, either by Forest Service personnel or by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources WVDNR. Habitat includes sinkhole ponds atop a low, flat sandstone ridge, and small seasonal ponds. Two of these sites are located on private lands, and one is located on National Forest land managed by the U.S. Forest Service (USFWS 2008).

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The northeastern bulrush has no official status in West Virginia, and this State does not have an endangered species law. No upland buffers are required around any wetlands in the State.

Threats

Among the potential human threats are agricultural runoff, construction of logging and fire roads, development, all-terrain vehicle use, collection, and dredging. In addition to human activity, there may be natural threats to the species as well, although more information about the biology and ecology of the species is needed before these threats can be fully assessed. Among possible natural threats are deer, beaver (one Vermont population has suffered fluctuations, apparently as a result of beaver activity), natural water level fluctuations, fire (this may have damaged a population in Pennsylvania), and succession. Fluctuations in population size have been observed at several localities for the species. It is very likely that botanists visiting the known sites for the species do not identify vegetative plants, and it is possible that, in some cases, the fluctuations are in number of flowering/ fruiting culms rather than actual number of plants.

The 5-year review of northeastern bulrush by the USFWS stated that new information indicates that shading may be a threat, “Therefore, in some cases, it may be helpful to manage the habitat surrounding these sites by selectively removing larger trees to reduce canopy cover to increase light exposure” (USFWS 2008). The 5-year review also noted that alterations of the hydrology of wetlands supporting northeastern bulrush could have negative effects.

Exotic organisms may pose threats to northeastern bulrush populations in the near future. Purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria, is slowly spreading through Virginia and may eventually invade some northeastern bulrush sites, especially following disturbances to hydrologic regime and/or substrate. The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) is currently defoliating large areas of the Forest and adjacent lands but it is unclear whether if or how the gypsy moth will negatively impact northeastern bulrush populations.

Plan Components

The known occurrences of this species on the Forest are protected under all alternatives, except A (the 1993 Revised Forest Plan), as management prescription 4D - Special Biological Areas. These Special Biological Areas are managed specifically to restore and maintain conditions to benefit the community and/or rare species for which the area was established. Without regular monitoring and maintenance the cumulative impacts of the OHV trail that passes near the pond on Potts Mountain have the potential to negatively affect the pond and the northeastern bulrush through illegal OHV use (or through maintenance of the OHV road affecting the hydrology of the area. The Pond Run Pond site is very near the intersection of two trails that are used by hikers and horses. In the past there has been evidence of horses in the pond basin, although there has been no apparent negative impact to the Northeastern bulrush. In 2009 the U.S. Forest Service constructed a barbed wire fence that is keeping horses out of the pond. Shading has also been a concern at this site and over the past several years a slow process of girdling trees has been occurring that appears to have increased the number of flowering columns.

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3.3 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES SUMMARY OF PLAN COMPONENTS

Table F-6. T&E species, associated ecological systems, and plan component Species Ecosystem Forest Plan Component Management Prescription Areas: designation of the primary and secondary Indiana bat cave areas

Standards/Guidelines: standards for activities within Caves and the primary and secondary Indiana bat cave areas; Indiana bat Karstlands standards for activities throughout the Forest in regard to leave trees during timber harvest activities

Objectives: improvement of habitat through increased open woodlands Caves and Virginia Big-Eared Bat Standards: Forestwide cave standards Karstlands

Spruce and Management Prescription Areas: All occupied habitat Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel Northern is in Special Biologic Areas Hardwoods

Floodplains, James Spinymussel Wetlands and Standards: Riparian standards Riparian Areas Caves and Not found on the Forest; Madison Cave Isopod Karstlands Standards: Forestwide cave standards Appalachian Management Prescription Areas: All known locations Shale Barrens Rock Cress Shale Barrens are in Special Biologic Areas

Management Prescription Areas: All known locations Smooth Cone Flower are in Special Biologic Areas

Floodplains, Management Prescription Areas: All known locations Virginia Sneezeweed Wetlands and are in Special Biologic Areas Riparian Areas Standards: Riparian standards

Floodplains, Management Prescription Areas: All known locations Swamp Pink Wetlands and are in Special Biologic Areas Riparian Areas Standards: Riparian standards

Floodplains, Management Prescription Areas All known locations Northeastern Bulrush Wetlands and are in Special Biologic Areas Riparian Areas Standards: Riparian standards

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4.0 OTHER SPECIES ADDRESSED

4.1 SPECIES LIST

Criteria for identifying other species to be addressed include the following:

· Species identified as proposed and candidate species under ESA · Species ranked G-1, G-2 and G-3 on the NatureServe ranking system. · Subspecific taxa ranked T-1, T-2 and T-3 on the NatureServe ranking system · Species that have been petitioned for federal listing and for which a positive “90-day finding” has been made · Species that have been recently delisted, including those delisted within the past five years and other delisted species for which regulatory agency monitoring is still considered necessary · Species with ranks of S-1, S-2, N-1, or N-2 on the NatureServe ranking system1 · State-listed threatened and endangered species that do not meet other criteria · Species identified as species of conservation concern in state comprehensive wildlife strategies for which habitat on the Forest is important · Bird species on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Birds of Conservation Concern National Bird Priority List · Additional species that valid existing information indicates are of regional or local conservation concern due to factors that may include: o Significant threats to populations or habitat o Declining trends in populations or habitat o Rarity o Restricted ranges · Southern Region regional forester’s sensitive species · Species that are hunted or fished · Other species of public interest · Invasive species may also be considered

The 282 species remaining for further consideration were screened to determine whether ecosystem diversity plan components fully covered their sustainability needs. If species habitat needs were not met solely through meeting the desired conditions of the ecological systems, additional direction was developed.

4.2 SPECIES GROUPS

The GWNF used species groups as an evaluation and analysis tool to improve planning efficiency and for development of management strategies. Species were grouped according to their habitat needs, limiting factors, threats, and specific habitat elements (snags, den trees, woody debris, etc.). Many species occurred in multiple groups.

Where possible, species groups were associated with ecological systems. Some groups are directly related to specific systems. Other groups may be more closely related to some ecological systems than others, but may be associated with multiple systems. Some groups may occur in any of the systems. The list of species groups and the ecosystem(s) with which they are associated are listed in Table F-7. Where multiple ecological systems are listed, the predominant system is listed first.

1 The NatureServe ranking system is available at http://www.natureserve.org/.

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Table F-7. Species group and Associated Ecological Systems Species Group Associated Ecological System(s) Alkaline Glades and Barrens Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Barrens Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland Pine Forest and Woodlands, Oak Forests and Woodlands and Open Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Area Sensitive Grasslands Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Pine Forest and Woodlands, Oak Forests and Woodlands Woodlands Area Sensitive Late Successional Spruce Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Cove Forest, Oak Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forests and Woodlands, Pine Forests and Woodlands, Floodplains Forests Wetlands and Riparian Areas. Caves and Karstlands Calciphiles Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Barrens All Caves Caves and Karstlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Cavity Trees, Den Trees and Snags All Cliff and Talus and Large Rock Outcrops Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Cove Forests Cove Forests Pine Forests and Woodlands, Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Barrens Oak Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Grasslands All Hard and Soft Mast Dependent Pine Forests and Woodlands, Oak Forests and Woodlands Northern Hardwood Forests Cove Forests High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Spruce Forests and/or Mixed Forests Pine Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Northern Hardwood Forests High Elevation Openings, Grassy or Cove Forests Shrubby or Open Woodlands Spruce Forests Pine Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Cove Forests Forest Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas Northern Hardwood Forests Oak Forests and Woodlands Lepidopterans All Mafic Rocks Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Barrens Oak Forests and Woodlands Occurrence Protection All Oak Forests and Woodlands Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Barrens Open Woodlands Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Pine Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Regenerating Forests All Riparian Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas

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Species Group Associated Ecological System(s) Ruderal Any Sandstone Glades and Barrens Any Sensitive to Over-Collection All Sensitive to Recreation Traffic Any Shale Barrens Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Oak Forests and Woodlands Shrublands All Species in a Special Biologic Area All

Since species may be associated with many species groups a description of the level of association is included in each of the following tables that list the species in each group. The levels are defined as follows:

Group Weight Group Weight Description All or nearly all of the species' needs are covered by Very High needs of this group A high proportion of the species' needs are covered by High the needs of this group A moderate proportion of the species' needs are Moderate covered by the needs of this group A low proportion of the species' needs are covered by Low the needs of this group

4.2.1 Alkaline Glade and Barren Associates

These species are associated with alkaline glades and barrens. Their habitat needs are tied directly to the Mafic Glade and Barrens and Alkaline Glades and Woodlands ecological system. Maintaining those ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. Species in Alkaline Glad and Barren Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Houstonia canadensis Canada bluets High Ruellia purshiana Pursh's wild petunia High

4.2.2 Calciphile Associates

These species generally require basic soils (pH greater than seven) in areas underlain by carbonate bedrock. They are often associated with the Cave and Karstland ecological systems, but can be found in other areas where the bedrock geology and soil conditions present the appropriate conditions. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological system are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed. Species in Calciphine Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Campanula rotundifolia American harebell High Delphinium exaltatum tall larkspur High

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Desmodium cuspidatum toothed tick-trefoil High Echinacea laevigata smooth coneflower High Euphorbia purpurea glade spurge Moderate Glyphyalinia raderi Maryland glyph High Helicodiscus diadema Shaggy coil High Helicodiscus triodus Talus coil High Houstonia canadensis Canada bluets High Juniperus communis var depressa ground juniper Moderate Linum lewisii prairie flax High Linum sulcatum grooved yellow flax High Melica nitens Three-flowered melic grass High Nampabius turbator Cave centipede High Oligoneuron rigidum stiff goldenrod High Onosmodium virginianum Virginia false-gromwell High Paronychia virginica yellow nailwort High Paxistima canbyi Canby's mountain lover High Phlox amplifolia Broadleaf phlox High Pseudanophthalmus avernus Avernus cave beetle High Pseudanophthalmus intersectus Crossroads cave beetle High Pseudanophthalmus nelsoni Nelson's cave beetle High Pseudanophthalmus petrunkevitchi Petrunkevitch's cave beetle High Pseudotremia princeps South Branch Valley cave millipede High Pycnanthemum torreyi Torrey's mountain-mint High Pygmarrhopalites carolynae Cave springtail High Pygmarrhopalites sacer Cave springtail High

Rosa setigera prairie rose Moderate Ruellia purshiana Pursh's wild petunia High Scutellaria parvula var. parvula small skullcap High Sporobolus neglectus small dropseed High Stygobromus gracilipes Shenandoah Valley cave amphipod High Stygobromus hoffmani Alleghany County cave amphipod High Stygobromus morrisoni Morrison's cave amphipod High Stygobromus mundus Bath County cave amphipod High Stygobromus sp. 7 Sherando spinosid amphipod High Stygobromus sp. nov. Massanutten Spring Amphipod High Symphoricarpos albus snowberry High Thuja occidentalis northern white cedar High Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus = Anticlea glauca white camas Moderate

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Zygonopus weyeriensis Grand Caverns blind cave millipede High Zygonopus whitei Luray Caverns blind cave millipede High

4.2.3 Cave Associates

These species live in caves. Temperature, humidity, water flow, water quality and level of human disturbance are all important components of the cave habitat. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cave and Karstland ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in Cave Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Apochthonius holsingeri A cave pseudoscorpion Very High Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus Virginia big-eared bat Very High Kleptochthonius anophthalmus A cave pseudoscorpion Very High Miktoniscus racovitzai Racovitza's terrestrial cave isopod Very High Myotis leibii eastern small-footed bat Very High Myotis sodalis Indiana bat Very High Nampabius turbator Cave centipede Very High Neotoma magister Alleghany woodrat Moderate Pseudanophthalmus avernus Avernus cave beetle Very High

Pseudanophthalmus intersectus Crossroads cave beetle Very High Pseudanophthalmus nelsoni Nelson's cave beetle Very High Pseudanophthalmus petrunkevitchi Petrunkevitch's cave beetle Very High Pseudognaphalium macounii Winged cudweed Very High Pseudotremia princeps South Branch Valley cave millipede Very High Pygmarrhopalites carolynae Cave springtail Very High Pygmarrhopalites sacer Cave springtail Very High Pygmarrhopalites caedus A cave springtail Very High Stygobromus gracilipes Shenandoah Valley cave amphipod Very High Stygobromus hoffmani Alleghany County cave amphipod Very High Stygobromus morrisoni Morrison's cave amphipod Very High Stygobromus mundus Bath County cave amphipod Very High Stygobromus sp. 7 Sherando spinosid amphipod Very High Stygobromus sp. nov. Massanutten Spring Amphipod Very High Zygonopus weyeriensis Grand Caverns blind cave millipede Very High Zygonopus whitei Luray Caverns blind cave millipede Very High

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4.2.4 Cavity Tree, Den Tree and Snag Associates

Cavity and den trees are live or dead trees with openings or broken out tops that provide habitat for reproduction, shelter, and/or hibernation. Snags are dead trees or live trees with dead limbs or tops that provide sloughing bark, perches, and food sources for a variety of animals. This habitat and these species can be found throughout the GWNF. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Cavity Tree, Den Tree and Snag Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl High Certhia americana brown creeper Very High Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher High Myotis sodalis Indiana bat High Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel High Sciurus niger Eastern fox squirrel High Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch High Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker High Thryomanes bewickii altus Appalachian Bewick's wren High Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren Moderate Tyto alba barn owl High Ursus americanus black bear High

4.2.5 Cliff, Talus and Large Rock Outcrop Associates

These species are dependent on cliffs, the talus slopes below cliffs, other talus slopes and large rock outcrops. The rock substrate is the key component and type of rock can be important to some species. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. There are smaller cliffs and talus areas that are not readily recognized and large rock outcrops can be found throughout many other ecological systems. Therefore, additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Cliff, Talus and Large Rock Outcrop Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aralia hispida bristly sarsaparilla High Betula cordifolia mountain paper birch Very High Campanula rotundifolia American harebell High Cheilanthes eatonii chestnut lipfern Very High Crotalus horridus Timber rattlesnake Very High Cuscuta coryli hazel dodder Very High Cystopteris fragilis fragile fern Very High Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon Very High

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Geranium robertianum herb-robert High Helianthemum bicknellii plains frostweed High Linum lewisii prairie flax High Linum sulcatum grooved yellow flax High Minuartia groenlandica mountain sandwort Very High Myotis leibii eastern small-footed bat Very High Neotoma magister Alleghany woodrat High Paronychia virginica yellow nailwort High Paxistima canbyi Canby's mountain lover High Plethodon punctatus Cow Knob salamander Moderate Plethodon virginia Shenandoah Mt. salamander Moderate Scutellaria parvula var. parvula small skullcap High Scutellaria saxatilis Rock skullcap Moderate Sibbaldiopsis tridentata three-toothed cinquefoil Very High Spilogale putorius Spotted Skunk High Sporobolus neglectus small dropseed High Symphoricarpos albus snowberry High Thuja occidentalis northern white cedar High Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus = Anticlea glauca white camas High

4.2.6 Cove Forest Associates These species are known to be associated with cove forests. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cove Forest ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in Cove Forest Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Leucothoe fontanesiana highland dog-hobble High Panax quinquefolius Ginseng High Panax trifolius Dwarf ginseng High

4.2.7 Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Associates These species are generally associated with open woodland conditions that require frequent fires.

These species range from those generally dependent upon fire (weighted very high) to those that are not dependent upon fire, but whose habitat is enhanced through frequent fires. This habitat type is found in the ecological systems where fire is an active component of the disturbance regime. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Pine Forests and Woodlands, Alkaline Glade and Woodlands, Mafic Glades and Barrens, and Oak Forests and Woodlands ecological systems. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

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Species in Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Anaphalis margaritacea pearly everlasting High Arabis serotina shale barren rockcress High Aralia hispida bristly sarsaparilla Very High Arnoglossom muehlenbergii great Indian-plantain Moderate Bartramia longicauda upland sandpiper Moderate Betula cordifolia mountain paper birch High Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse Moderate Bromus kalmii wild chess High Buckleya distichophylla Piratebush Very High Callophrys irus Frosted elfin High Caprimulgus carolinensis chuck-will's widow High Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will Moderate Carex polymorpha variable sedge Very High Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite Moderate Crataegus pruinosa prunose hawthorn Moderate Delphinium exaltatum tall larkspur High Dendroica discolor prairie warbler Moderate Echinacea laevigata smooth coneflower High Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass High Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing High Gaylussacia brachycera box huckleberry Very High Liochlorophis vernalis Smooth green snake High Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey Moderate Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer Moderate Onosmodium virginianum Virginia false-gromwell Moderate Oporornis philadelphia mourning warbler High Phlox buckleyi sword-leaved phlox High Pituophis melanoleucus northern pinesnake High Prunus alleghaniensis Alleghany sloe High Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper High Ruellia purshiana Pursh's wild petunia Moderate Sciurus niger Eastern fox squirrel Moderate Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler High

4.2.8 Hard and Soft Mast Associates These species need a mixture of both hard and soft mast as food. The habitat associated with these species can be found in other ecological systems, but is most common in the oak forests and woodlands. Maintaining the Oak Forest and Woodland ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy most of the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. The one additional need is to maintain existing shrubland areas.

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Species in Hard and Soft Mast Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey High Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel High Sciurus niger Eastern fox squirrel High Ursus americanus black bear High

4.2.9 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates These species are generally found at high elevation (>3,000 feet) in forested environments. The habitat associated with these species can be found throughout the ecological systems, but is confined to the high elevations. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Spruce Forest and Northern Hardwood ecological systems. Additional measures are needed to assure that the high elevation Oak Forests and Woodlands and the Pine Forests and Woodlands that are at high elevation will also be maintained. Maintaining these ecological systems, implementing additional measures, and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl High Carpodacus purpureus purple finch High Catharus guttatus hermit thrush High Certhia americana brown creeper High Coccyzus erythropthalmus black-billed cuckoo High Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher High Cornus canadensis bunchberry High Dendroica fusca blackburnian warbler High Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler High Empidonax alnorum alder flycatcher High Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus Virginia northern flying squirrel Very High Gymnocarpium appalachianum Appalachian oak fern Very High Heuchera alba white alumroot Very High Huperzia appalachiana Appalachian fir clubmoss High Hypericum mitchellianum Blue Ridge St. John's-wort High Lepus americanus snowshoe hare High Lonicera canadensis American fly-honeysuckle Very High Loxia curvirostra red crossbill Very High Martes pennanti fisher Very High Microtus chrotorrhinus carolinensis Southern rock vole High Oporornis philadelphia mourning warbler High

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Plethodon punctatus Cow Knob salamander Very High Plethodon virginia Shenandoah Mt. salamander High Pyrola elliptica shinleaf High Regulus satrapa golden-crowned kinglet Very High Schizachne purpurascens purple oat-grass High Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush High Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch High Sorex palustris punctulatus southern water shrew High Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker High Sylvilagus obscurus Appalachian Cottontail Very High Trillium pusillum var. virginianum mountain least trillium High Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren Very High

4.2.10 Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest Associates These species are associated with late successional systems usually dominated by hardwoods. These areas have developing or well-developed canopy gap dynamics, large woody material on the ground, and den and cavity trees. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Northern Hardwood, Cove Forest, and Oak Forest and Woodlands ecological systems. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. Species in Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Ambystoma tigrinum Eastern tiger salamander High Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler High Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle Moderate Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey High Neotoma magister Alleghany woodrat Moderate Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Plethodon punctatus Cow Knob salamander Moderate Plethodon virginia Shenandoah Mt. salamander Moderate Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel High Semionellus placidus Millipede High Spilogale putorius Spotted Skunk Moderate Ursus americanus black bear High

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4.2.11 Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Associates These are species requiring large blocks (generally 500 acres or greater) of mature successional forest systems. These areas have developing or well-developed canopy structural dynamics, large woody material on the ground, and den and cavity trees. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Spruce, Northern Hardwood, Pine Forests and Woodlands, Oak Forest and Woodlands, Cover Forest, and Wetlands and Riparian ecological systems. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl High Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle Very High Catharus guttatus hermit thrush High Certhia americana brown creeper High Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus Virginia big-eared bat High Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler High Dendroica fusca blackburnian warbler Moderate Empidonax virescens acadian flycatcher Moderate Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus Virginia northern flying squirrel High Loxia curvirostra red crossbill Moderate Martes pennanti fisher Very High Myotis sodalis Indiana bat Very High Plethodon punctatus Cow Knob salamander High Plethodon virginia Shenandoah Mt. salamander High Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush High Ursus americanus black bear Very High

4.2.12 Lepidopterans These are lepidopterans that are either sensitive to fire injury (due to their limited distribution) or to treatment of gypsy moths with insecticides like Bt or Dimilin. Many of these species rely on host plants that occur in open conditions, so fire is an important aspect of maintaining their habitat. However, since at least one of their life stages is always present in the area, care must be taken in planning prescribed burns. These species and habitats could be found in many ecological systems. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Lepidopterans Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Autochton cellus Golden-banded skipper High Boloria selene Silver-bordered fritillary Very High Callophrys irus Frosted elfin Very High Catocala herodias gerhardi Herodias underwing Very High Catocala marmorata Marbled underwing Very High Colias interior Pink-edged sulphur Very High

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Erora laeta Early hairstreak Very High Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing Very High Erynnis persius Persius duskywing Very High Euchloe olympia Olympia marble Very High Incisalia polia Hoary elfin Very High Phyciodes batesii Tawny crescent Very High Phyciodes cocyta Northern crescent Very High Polygonia progne Gray comma Very High Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper Very High Satyrium favonius ontario Northern Hairstreak Very High Speyeria atlantis Atlantis fritillary Very High Speyeria diana Diana fritillary Very High Speyeria idalia Regal fritillary Very High

4.2.13 Mafic Rock Associates These species are associated with mafic rock substrates and often with seepage areas. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Mafic Glades and Barrens ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in Mafic Rock Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Clematis occidentalis purple clematis High Muhlenbergia glomerata marsh muhly High Poa saltuensis drooping bluegrass High Potentilla arguta tall cinquefoil Very High Pycnanthemum torreyi Torrey's mountain-mint High Ruellia purshiana Pursh's wild petunia High

Solidago randii = S. simplex var. randii Rand's goldenrod Very High

4.2.14 Species Needing Occurrence Protection Species in this group are rare in occurrence on the GWNF although habitat is widespread. Habitat assessments cannot accurately predict the presence of these species. Most of these species occur in less than 5 populations on the Forest and are sensitive to management actions. Those species which have more than 5 known occurrences represent populations which are critical to the survival of the species and have limited occurrence outside of GWNF. T&E species are not included in this group because they require species-specific protection and have specific guidance described in Section 2. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

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Species Needing Occurrence Protection Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Adlumia fungosa Climbing fumatory High Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's sparrow High Arnoglossom muehlenbergii great Indian-plantain High Bartramia longicauda upland sandpiper High Buckleya distichophylla Piratebush High Callophrys irus Frosted elfin High Carex polymorpha variable sedge High Carex roanensis Roan Mountain sedge High Catocala herodias gerhardi Herodias underwing High Catocala marmorata Marbled underwing High Circus cyaneus northern harrier High Corallorhiza bentleyi Bentley's coalroot High Cornus canadensis bunchberry High Cornus rugosa roundleaf dogwood High Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus Virginia big-eared bat High Crataegus calpodendron pear hawthorn Moderate Crataegus pruinosa prunose hawthorn Moderate Cuscuta coryli hazel dodder High Cuscuta rostrata beaked dodder High Cypripedium reginae showy lady's-slipper Moderate Desmodium cuspidatum toothed tick-trefoil High Erora laeta Early hairstreak High Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing High Eumeces anthracinus coal skink High Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon High Gaylussacia brachycera box huckleberry High Glyphyalinia raderi Maryland glyph Low Goodyera repens dwarf rattlesnake plantain High Gymnocarpium appalachianum Appalachian oak fern High Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle High Helicodiscus diadema Shaggy coil High Helicodiscus triodus Talus coil High Heuchera alba white alumroot High Hypericum mitchellianum Blue Ridge St. John's-wort High Juglans cinerea butternut High Leucothoe fontanesiana highland dog-hobble High Monotropsis odorata sweet pinesap High Myotis leibii eastern small-footed bat High

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Species Name Common Name Group Weight Myotis sodalis Indiana bat High Nannaria shenandoah Shenandoah Mountain xystodesmid High Phlox amplifolia Broadleaf phlox Moderate Phlox buckleyi sword-leaved phlox High Phyciodes batesii Tawny crescent High Pituophis melanoleucus northern pinesnake Low Pygmarrhopalites caedus A cave springtail High Pyrola elliptica shinleaf High Satyrium favonius ontario Northern Hairstreak High Semionellus placidus Millipede High Triodopsis picea Spruce Knob threetooth High Triphora trianthophora nodding pogonia High

4.2.15 Open Area Associates Many species require open areas for at least some part of their life history. Openings allow sunlight to reach the ground and that often allows for more herbaceous vegetation and shrubby vegetation to become established. Herbaceous vegetation also allows for development of a richer insect population which can provide food which is often important for the early portion of several species lives. Open areas can take many forms. A stand of trees that is harvested, blown down, or burned creates an opening while the new stand regenerates. The opening for the first ten years is referred to as early successional habitat and is important for many species as a temporary opening. As the stand continues to grow, the dense stand of saplings in the range of 11 to 20 years provides habitat important to ruffed grouse. Openings can be as small as the opening created by a tree falling (canopy gaps) or as large as grasslands greater than 100 acres in size which are desired by Henslow’s sparrows. If disturbance of an area occurs on a regular basis, trees will not be reestablished on the site. It may stay as a grassland with very frequent disturbance or as a shrubland with less frequent disturbance. Open woodlands are created when fire is frequent in a mature stand of trees. The few mature trees will maintain an open canopy, but the understory will be open enough for a grassy or herbaceous understory will develop that can be maintained with frequent fire. These openings are sometimes hard to distinguish from each other and they may move from one type to another depending upon the type and frequency of disturbance.

4.2.15.a Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands Associates

These species require the presence of large blocks (from 40 to 100+ acres) of a combination of grasslands and shrublands and/or open woodlands. It is important to have complexes of all these habitat components. It is important to retain existing sites. While many of these habitats would be found in the Oak Forest and Woodland ecological system, these could be found in other systems as well. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

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Species in Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Caprimulgus carolinensis chuck-will's widow High Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will High Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite High Dendroica discolor prairie warbler High Sciurus niger Eastern fox squirrel High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler High

4.2.15.b Area Sensitive Grasslands Associates These species require the presence of large blocks (40 to 100 acres or greater) of open grassland habitat. It is important to retain existing sites and expand them where possible. Most of these species prefer areas at the larger end of this size range. While many of these habitats would be found in the Oak Forest and Woodland ecological system, these could be found in other systems as well. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Area Sensitive Grasslands Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's sparrow Very High Bartramia longicauda upland sandpiper Very High Circus cyaneus northern harrier Very High Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike Very High Speyeria idalia Regal fritillary Very High Tyto alba barn owl High

4.2.15.c Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodland Associates These species require the presence of large blocks (100 acres or greater) of a mix of open shrubland and open woodland habitat. It is important to retain existing sites and expand them where possible. While many of these habitats would be found in the Oak Forest and Woodland ecological system, these could be found in other systems as well. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodlands Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing High

4.2.15.d Grassland Associates These species are associated with open areas of any size with grass or forb dominated vegetation. These areas may be permanent openings or temporary openings that will eventually become shrublands or forests. While many of these habitats would be found in the Oak Forest and Woodland ecological system, these could be found in other systems as well. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

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Species in Grasslands Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Anaphalis margaritacea pearly everlasting High Arnoglossom muehlenbergii great Indian-plantain Moderate Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse Moderate Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite High Erynnis persius Persius duskywing High Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle Moderate Incisalia polia Hoary elfin High Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike High Liochlorophis vernalis Smooth green snake High Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey High Mustela nivalis least weasel High Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Polygonia progne Gray comma Moderate Scolopax minor American woodcock High Thryomanes bewickii altus Appalachian Bewick's wren High Tyto alba barn owl High Ursus americanus black bear High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler High Virginia valeriae pulchra mountain earth snake High

4.2.15.e High Elevation Opening (Grassy or Shrubby) or Open Woodland Associates These species are associated with openings or open woodlands at elevations greater than 3,000 feet. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Northern Hardwood, Oak Forest and Woodlands and Pine Forest and Woodlands ecological systems. Additional measures will need to assure that the high elevation grasslands and shrublands are also maintained. Maintaining these ecological systems and these additional measures and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in High Elevation Opening or Open Woodland Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Carpodacus purpureus purple finch High Catharus guttatus hermit thrush Moderate Coccyzus erythropthalmus black-billed cuckoo High Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher High Cuscuta rostrata beaked dodder Very High Gnaphalium uliginosum low cudweed High Hypericum mitchellianum Blue Ridge St. John's-wort High Juniperus communis var depressa ground juniper High Lepus americanus snowshoe hare Moderate

F - 56 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Liochlorophis vernalis Smooth green snake Very High Melospiza georgiana swamp sparrow High Oporornis philadelphia mourning warbler High Rubus idaeus ssp. strigosus American red raspberry Very High Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker High Sylvilagus obscurus Appalachian Cottontail Very High Thryomanes bewickii altus Appalachian Bewick's wren High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler Very High

4.2.15.f Shrubland Associates These species are associated with shrub dominated vegetation. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cove Forest, Northern Hardwood, Pine Forest and Woodland, Oak Forest and Woodlands, and Mafic Glade and Barrens and Alkaline Glades and Woodlands ecological systems. Additional measures will need to assure that the existing shrublands are also maintained. Maintaining these ecological systems and these additional measures and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need.

Species in Shrubland Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Anaphalis margaritacea pearly everlasting Moderate Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite High Erynnis persius Persius duskywing Moderate Eumeces anthracinus coal skink Low Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle High Incisalia polia Hoary elfin High Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike High Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey High Mustela nivalis least weasel High Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Oryzopsis asperifolia white-grained mtn-ricegrass High Polygonia progne Gray comma Moderate Prunus nigra Canada plum Moderate Spilogale putorius Spotted Skunk Moderate Thryomanes bewickii altus Appalachian Bewick's wren High Ursus americanus black bear High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler High Virginia valeriae pulchra mountain earth snake Moderate

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 57 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

4.2.15.g Regenerating Forest Associates These species utilize regenerating even-aged forests of pole-size timber (typically in the 10-30 year old age class group). The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cove Forest, Pine Forest and Woodland, and Oak Forest and Woodlands ecological systems. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. Species in Regenerating Forest Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Caprimulgus carolinensis chuck-will's widow High Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will High Dendroica discolor prairie warbler High Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler High Lepus americanus snowshoe hare Very High Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Oporornis philadelphia mourning warbler High Ursus americanus black bear High

4.2.15.h Open Woodland Associates These species are associated with mature stands of trees with open (26-60% open) canopies and well developed grassy or shrubby understories. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cove Forest, Northern Hardwood, Pine Forest and Woodland, Oak Forest and Woodlands, and Mafic Glade and Barrens and Alkaline Glades and Woodlands ecological systems. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. Species in Open Woodland Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Callophrys irus Frosted elfin High Caprimulgus carolinensis chuck-will's widow High Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will High Catocala herodias gerhardi Herodias underwing High Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite High Delphinium exaltatum tall larkspur Moderate Desmodium sessilifolium sessile-leaf tick-trefoil Moderate Echinacea laevigata smooth coneflower High Erysimum capitatum western wallflower High Euchloe olympia Olympia marble High Eumeces anthracinus coal skink High Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon High Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle High Helianthemum bicknellii plains frostweed High Helianthemum propinquum low frostweed High

F - 58 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Linum lewisii prairie flax High Linum sulcatum grooved yellow flax High Liochlorophis vernalis Smooth green snake High Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey High Melica nitens Three-flowered melic grass High Myotis sodalis Indiana bat Very High Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer High Oligoneuron rigidum stiff goldenrod High Onosmodium virginianum Virginia false-gromwell High Oryzopsis asperifolia white-grained mtn-ricegrass High Pituophis melanoleucus northern pinesnake High Plethodon sherando Big levels salamander High Poa saltuensis drooping bluegrass High Polygonia progne Gray comma Moderate Prunus alleghaniensis Alleghany sloe High Pycnanthemum torreyi Torrey's mountain-mint High Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper High Rosa setigera prairie rose High Satyrium favonius ontario Northern Hairstreak High Scutellaria parvula var. parvula small skullcap High Scutellaria saxatilis Rock skullcap Moderate Speyeria diana Diana fritillary High Spiranthes ochroleuca yellow nodding ladies'-tresses High Trichostema setaceum narrow-leaved blue curls High Ursus americanus black bear High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler Very High Virginia valeriae pulchra mountain earth snake High Zigadenus elegans ssp. glaucus = Anticlea glauca white camas High

4.2.16 Riparian Area Associates Species occurring in this group require wetlands, aquatic systems (streams, lakes, or ponds), springs, seeps or areas adjacent to these systems. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Floodplain, Wetland and Riparian Area ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. There are also a number of the species in this group that benefit from open canopies. These include wetland plants and many of the birds. Flood events, canopy gaps, edaphic conditions and beaver activity are expected to meet most of the needs of these species.

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 59 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species in Riparian Area Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl High Alnus incana ssp. rugosa speckled alder Very High Ambystoma tigrinum Eastern tiger salamander High Anas rubripes American black duck Very High Arnoglossom muehlenbergii great Indian-plantain High Aster radula rough-leaved aster Very High Autochton cellus Golden-banded skipper Very High Boloria selene Silver-bordered fritillary Very High Boltonia montana no common name Very High Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse High Bromus ciliatus fringed brome grass Very High Calopogon tuberosus Grass pink Very High Carex aquatilis water sedge Very High Carex arctata black sedge Very High Carex barrattii Barratt's sedge Very High Carex buxbaumii Buxbaum's sedge Very High Carex lasiocarpa var. americana slender sedge Very High Carex schweinitzii Schweinitz's sedge High Carex vesicaria Inflated sedge Very High Castor canadensis Beaver Very High Catocala marmorata Marbled underwing High Certhia americana brown creeper High Cicindela ancocisconensis a tiger beetle Very High Clemmys guttata spotted turtle Very High Coccyzus erythropthalmus black-billed cuckoo High Colias interior Pink-edged sulphur Very High Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher High Cyperus dentatus toothed flatsedge High Cypripedium reginae showy lady's-slipper Very High Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler High Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler High Desmodium canadense showy tick-trefoil High Desmodium sessilifolium sessile-leaf tick-trefoil High Echinodorus tenellus dwarf burhead Very High Eleocharis compressa flat-stemmed spikerush Very High Eleocharis melanocarpa black-fruited spikerush Very High

F - 60 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Eleocharis robbinsii Robbins spikerush Very High Elymus canadensis nodding wild rye High Empidonax alnorum alder flycatcher High Empidonax virescens acadian flycatcher Very High Epilobium ciliatum Hair willow-herb High Epilobium leptophyllum linear-leaved willow-herb Very High Equisetum sylvaticum woodland horsetail Very High Eriocaulon aquaticum white buttons Very High Erynnis persius Persius duskywing High Eupatorium maculatum spotted joe-pye weed High Euphorbia purpurea glade spurge High Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus Virginia northern flying squirrel Moderate Glyceria acutiflora sharp-scaled manna-grass Very High Glyceria grandis American manna-grass Very High Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle High Gnaphalium uliginosum low cudweed High Goodyera repens dwarf rattlesnake plantain Moderate Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle Very High Hansonoperla appalachia Appalachian stonefly Very High Helenium virginicum Virginia sneezeweed Very High Helonias bullata swamp-pink Very High Huperzia appalachiana Appalachian fir clubmoss Very High Hydraena maureenae Maureen's shale stream beetle Very High Hypericum boreale northern St. John's-wort Very High Iliamna remota Kankakee globe-mallow Moderate Isoetes lacustris lake quillwort Very High Isonychia tusculanensis a mayfly Very High Juncus brachycephalus small-head rush Very High Juncus brevicaudatus narrow-panicled rush Very High Leuctra mitchellensis Mitchell needlefly Very High Leuctra monticola montane needlefly Very High Liparis loeselii Loesel's twayblade Very High Lonicera canadensis American fly-honeysuckle High Lontra canadensis river otter Very High Lycopodiella inundata northern bog clubmoss High Lythrum alatum winged loosestrife Very High Maianthemum stellatum stary false Solomon's-seal High

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 61 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Megaleuctra flinti Shenandoah needlefly Very High Melospiza georgiana swamp sparrow High Microtus chrotorrhinus carolinensis Southern rock vole High Muhlenbergia glomerata marsh muhly High

Myotis sodalis Indiana bat High Nemotaulius hostilis a limnephilid caddisfly Very High Nyctanassa violacea yellow-crowned night-heron Very High Nycticorax nycticorax black-crowned night-heron Very High Osmunda cinnamomea var. glandulosa glandular cinnamon fern Very High Panicum hemitomon maidencane Very High Paragnetina ishusa widecollar stonefly Very High Paraleptophlebia jeanae a mayfly Very High Parnassia grandifolia Large-leaved grass-of-parnassus Very High Peltigera hydrothyria Waterfan Very High Perlesta frisoni Blue Ridge stonefly Very High Platanthera grandiflora large purple fringed orchid Very High Platanthera peramoena purple fringeless orchid Very High Poa paludigena bog bluegrass Very High Poa palustris fowl bluegrass Very High Polanisia dodecandra common clammy-weed Very High Polygonia progne Gray comma Moderate Potamogeton amplifolius Largeleaf pondweed Very High Potamogeton hillii Hill's pondweed Very High Potamogeton oakesianus Oakes pondweed Very High Potamogeton tennesseensis Tennessee pondweed Very High Ribes americanum wild black currant Very High Sabatia campanulata slender marsh rose-pink Very High Sagittaria calycina var calycina long-lobed arrowhead Very High Sagittaria rigida sessile-fruited arrowhead Very High Saxifraga pensylvanica swamp saxifrage High Schizachne purpurascens purple oat-grass High Schoenoplectus subterminalis water bulrush Very High Scirpus ancistrochaetus northeastern bulrush Very High Scirpus torreyi Torrey’s bulrush Very High Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel High Scolopax minor American woodcock Very High Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush High

F - 62 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Sida hermaphrodita Virginia mallow Very High Solidago rupestris riverbank goldenrod Very High Solidago uliginosa bog goldenrod Very High Sorex palustris punctulatus southern water shrew High Sparganium chlorocarpum = S. emersum narrow-leaf burreed Very High Spartina pectinata freshwater cordgrass Very High Speyeria atlantis Atlantis fritillary Very High Sphagnum russowii Russow's peatmoss Very High Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker Very High Spiranthes lucida shining ladies'-tresses Very High Spiranthes ochroleuca yellow nodding ladies'-tresses High Sylvilagus obscurus Appalachian Cottontail Moderate Triadenum fraseri Fraser's marsh St. John's-wort Very High Triantha racemosa coastal false-asphodel Very High Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren High Vaccinium macrocarpon large cranberry Very High Verbena scabra sandpaper vervain Very High Vermivora chrysoptera golden winged warbler Very High Veronica scutellata marsh speedwell Very High Viburnum lentago nannyberry Very High Vicia americana American purple vetch Very High Vitis rupestris sand grape Very High Woodwardia virginica Virginia chainfern Very High

4.2.17 Ruderal Associates These species are associated with previously disturbed habitats like old fields, old homesites and roadsides. These species are not associated with any particular ecological system so additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed. Species in Ruderal Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Arnoglossom muehlenbergii great Indian-plantain High Cicindela patruela Barrens tiger beetle High Cirsium altissimum tall thistle Very High Desmodium cuspidatum toothed tick-trefoil Moderate Eumeces anthracinus coal skink High Gnaphalium uliginosum low cudweed Moderate Phlox buckleyi sword-leaved phlox Very High

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 63 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Polygonia progne Gray comma High Prunus nigra Canada plum Moderate Vicia americana American purple vetch High

4.2.18 Sandstone Glades and Barrens Associates These species inhabit sandstone glades and barrens. Additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Sandstone Glades and Barrens Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Cicindela patruela Barrens tiger beetle High Helianthemum bicknellii plains frostweed High Incisalia polia Hoary elfin High

4.2.19 Species Sensitive to Over-Collection

Species in this group are sensitive to excessive collection which could lead to sharp population declines. These species are collected commercially and used for a variety of purposes including food, medicinal, decorative, gardening/landscaping, pet trade, and trophy hunting (rattlesnake rattle collection). These species are not associated with any particular ecological system so additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Sensitive to Over-Collection Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Crotalus horridus Timber rattlesnake Very High Cypripedium reginae showy lady's-slipper Very High Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle Very High Panax quinquefolius Ginseng Very High Panax trifolius Dwarf ginseng High Platanthera grandiflora large purple fringed orchid Moderate Platanthera peramoena purple fringeless orchid Moderate Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper High Speyeria diana Diana fritillary High Speyeria idalia Regal fritillary High

4.2.20 Species Sensitive to Recreational Traffic

Species in this group are sensitive to excessive human disturbance such as trampling, harassment, vehicular mortality, and direct mortality. Reptile species are especially sensitive to being harmed, harassed, and killed by humans. This interaction with humans can have long-term negative effects on population sizes and sustainability. Plant species on this list are especially sensitive to trampling by off-road vehicles, heavy equipment, horses, and human traffic. These species are not associated with any particular ecological system so additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

F - 64 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species in Sensitive to Recreation Traffic Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Minuartia groenlandica mountain sandwort High Sibbaldiopsis tridentata three-toothed cinquefoil Moderate

4.2.21 Shale Barren Associates Species occurring in this group require shale barrens. The habitat needs of the species in this group are tied directly to the Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens ecological system. Maintaining these ecological systems and moving them towards their desired condition will satisfy the needs of the species in this group related to this habitat need. Species in Shale Barren Associates Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Arabis patens Spreading rockcress Very High Arabis serotina shale barren rockcress Very High Astragalus distortus bent milkvetch Very High Bromus kalmii wild chess Very High Cheilanthes eatonii chestnut lipfern High Clematis albicoma White-haired Leatherflower Very High Clematis coactilis Virginia white-haired leatherflower Very High Clematis viticaulis Millboro leatherflower Very High Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass Very High Eriogonum allenii Yellow Buckwheat Very High Erysimum capitatum western wallflower High Euchloe olympia Olympia marble High Liatris helleri shale -barren blazing star Very High Melica nitens Three-flowered melic grass Moderate Oenothera argillicola Shale-barren evening primrose Very High Paronychia argyrocoma Silver Nail-wort Very High Paronychia virginica yellow nailwort Very High Prunus alleghaniensis Alleghany sloe Moderate Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper High Rosa setigera prairie rose Moderate Solidago arguta var. harrisii Shale Barren Goldenrod Very High Sporobolus neglectus small dropseed Moderate Taenidia montana Virginia mountain pimpernel Very High Trichostema setaceum narrow-leaved blue curls High Trifolium virginicum Kate's mountain clover Very High Viola pedatifida prairie violet Very High

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 65 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

4.2.22 Species with Habitat in Special Biologic Areas These are species that occupy habitat that has been designated as special biologic areas. These areas are established with the goal to manage the area for the particular rare communities or species at the site. These species are not associated with any particular ecological system so additional measures beyond those identified for the ecological systems are needed to assure that the habitat needs for these species are addressed.

Species in Habitat in Special Biologic Areas Group Species Name Common Name Group Weight Aegolius acadicus northern saw-whet owl Moderate Ambystoma tigrinum Eastern tiger salamander Very High Anaphalis margaritacea pearly everlasting Moderate Arabis serotina shale barren rockcress Very High Aralia hispida bristly sarsaparilla Moderate Betula cordifolia mountain paper birch Very High Boloria selene Silver-bordered fritillary Very High Boltonia montana no common name Very High Bromus kalmii wild chess Very High Campanula rotundifolia American harebell Very High Carex aquatilis water sedge High Carex arctata black sedge High Carex barrattii Barratt's sedge Very High Carex buxbaumii Buxbaum's sedge Very High Carex lasiocarpa var. americana slender sedge High Carex polymorpha variable sedge Moderate Carex roanensis Roan Mountain sedge High Carex vesicaria Inflated sedge High Carpodacus purpureus purple finch Very High Castor canadensis Beaver Low Catharus guttatus hermit thrush Moderate Certhia americana brown creeper Moderate Cheilanthes eatonii chestnut lipfern High Cicindela patruela Barrens tiger beetle Moderate Cirsium altissimum tall thistle Very High Clematis viticaulis Millboro leatherflower Very High Clemmys guttata spotted turtle Very High Colias interior Pink-edged sulphur Very High Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher Moderate Cornus canadensis bunchberry Very High Cornus rugosa roundleaf dogwood Very High Crataegus pruinosa prunose hawthorn Very High Cuscuta rostrata beaked dodder High

F - 66 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Cypripedium reginae showy lady's-slipper Very High Cystopteris fragilis fragile fern Very High Dendroica fusca blackburnian warbler Moderate Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler Moderate Desmodium cuspidatum toothed tick-trefoil High Echinacea laevigata smooth coneflower Very High Echinodorus tenellus dwarf burhead Very High Eleocharis melanocarpa black-fruited spikerush High Eleocharis robbinsii Robbins spikerush Very High Elymus trachycaulus slender wheatgrass High Empidonax alnorum alder flycatcher Moderate Epilobium leptophyllum linear-leaved willow-herb Very High Equisetum sylvaticum woodland horsetail Very High Eriocaulon aquaticum white buttons Very High Erynnis martialis Mottled duskywing High Erysimum capitatum western wallflower High Gaylussacia brachycera box huckleberry Very High Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus Virginia northern flying squirrel Very High Glyceria grandis American manna-grass Very High Gnaphalium uliginosum low cudweed Moderate Gymnocarpium appalachianum Appalachian oak fern High Helenium virginicum Virginia sneezeweed Very High Helianthemum bicknellii plains frostweed High Helonias bullata swamp-pink Very High Heuchera alba white alumroot Very High Houstonia canadensis Canada bluets Very High Hypericum mitchellianum Blue Ridge St. John's-wort Moderate Isoetes lacustris lake quillwort Very High Juncus brachycephalus small-head rush High Juncus brevicaudatus narrow-panicled rush High Juniperus communis var depressa ground juniper Very High Lepus americanus snowshoe hare Very High Leucothoe fontanesiana highland dog-hobble Very High Liparis loeselii Loesel's twayblade Very High Loxia curvirostra red crossbill High Martes pennanti fisher High Minuartia groenlandica mountain sandwort Low Monotropsis odorata sweet pinesap Moderate

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 67 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Muhlenbergia glomerata marsh muhly Very High Oligoneuron rigidum stiff goldenrod Very High Oryzopsis asperifolia white-grained mtn-ricegrass High Osmunda cinnamomea var. glandulosa glandular cinnamon fern Very High Panicum hemitomon maidencane Very High Phlox buckleyi sword-leaved phlox Moderate Platanthera grandiflora large purple fringed orchid Very High Plethodon punctatus Cow Knob salamander Very High Plethodon sherando Big levels salamander Very High Plethodon virginia Shenandoah Mt. salamander Very High Poa palustris fowl bluegrass Very High Poa saltuensis drooping bluegrass Very High Polygonia progne Gray comma Moderate Potamogeton oakesianus Oakes pondweed Very High Potentilla arguta tall cinquefoil Very High Pyrgus wyandot Appalachian grizzled skipper High Pyrola elliptica shinleaf Moderate Regulus satrapa golden-crowned kinglet High Ribes americanum wild black currant High Rubus idaeus ssp. strigosus American red raspberry Very High Sabatia campanulata slender marsh rose-pink Very High Sagittaria calycina var calycina long-lobed arrowhead Very High Schizachne purpurascens purple oat-grass High Schoenoplectus subterminalis water bulrush Very High Scirpus ancistrochaetus northeastern bulrush Very High Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush High Sibbaldiopsis tridentata three-toothed cinquefoil Moderate Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch High

Solidago randii = S. simplex var. randii Rand's goldenrod Very High Solidago rupestris riverbank goldenrod High Solidago uliginosa bog goldenrod Very High Sorex palustris punctulatus southern water shrew Moderate Sparganium chlorocarpum = S. emersum narrow-leaf burreed High Speyeria atlantis Atlantis fritillary Very High Sphagnum russowii Russow's peatmoss High Spiranthes ochroleuca yellow nodding ladies'-tresses Moderate Symphoricarpos albus snowberry High Thuja occidentalis northern white cedar High

F - 68 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Common Name Group Weight Triadenum fraseri Fraser's marsh St. John's-wort Very High Triantha racemosa coastal false-asphodel Very High Trichostema setaceum narrow-leaved blue curls High Trifolium virginicum Kate's mountain clover Very High

Trillium pusillum var. virginianum mountain least trillium Very High Triphora trianthophora nodding pogonia Moderate Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren High Vaccinium macrocarpon large cranberry Very High Viola pedatifida prairie violet Very High Vitis rupestris sand grape High Woodwardia virginica Virginia chainfern Moderate

A summary of all of the groups with which individual species are associated is in Appendix F2.

5.0 EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVES ON SPECIES

For species and species groups whose needs are addressed by the condition of the ecological systems, the effects by alternative are described in the Ecological Systems Report.

For the species and species groups that require additional direction, their key attributes and indicators are described as follows.

Attributes and Indicators The following key attributes were identified for each species group.

Table F-8. Key Attributes and Indicators for Species Groups

Species Group Key Attribute Indicator Name Area Sensitive Grassland and Total acres of area sensitive Shrubland and Open Habitat Type grasslands, shrublands or open Woodlands Abundance woodlands Habitat Type Area sensitive open Habitat Area Sensitive Grasslands. Abundance grasslands greater than 100 ac Habitat Type Area sensitive open habitat Area Sensitive Grasslands. Abundance grasslands greater than 40 ac Area sensitive open habitat Area Sensitive Shrubland and Habitat Type shrubland and open woodland Open Woodlands Abundance greater than 100 ac Existing grasslands in open Grasslands Existing grasslands conditions Habitat Type Grasslands Abundance Total grasslands acres High Elevation Openings, Grassy or Shrubby or Open Habitat Type Total High Elevation Grassland Woodlands Abundance acres High Elevation Openings, Grassy or Shrubby or Open Habitat Type Total high elevation shrubland Woodlands Abundance acres

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 69 APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Group Key Attribute Indicator Name Habitat Type Shrublands Abundance Total shrubland acres Cavity Trees, Den Trees and Habitat Element Compliance with den/cavity tree Snags Abundance and snag guidelines Lepidopterans - sensitive to fire injury and sensitive to some Compliance with lepidopteran insecticides (Bt, dimilin) Fire Regime guidelines Lepidopterans - sensitive to fire injury and sensitive to some Sensitivity to invasive Compliance with guidelines for insecticides (Bt, dimilin) species treatments lepidopterans Persistence of Species Compliance with guidelines for Sensitive to Over-Collection Occurrences over collection Persistence of Species Compliance with recreation traffic Sensitive to Recreation Traffic Occurrences guidelines Cliff and Talus and Large Rock Habitat Element Compliance with cliff, talus and Outcrops Abundance large rock outcrop guidelines Habitat Type Acres of habitat that supports Calciphiles Abundance calciphiles Habitat Type Total High-Quality Habitat Type Calciphiles Abundance Acres Persistence of Species Compliance with Species Occurrence Protection Occurrences Occurrence Guidelines

The following tables display the current condition of each indicator identified for the species groups. It also displays the estimated condition of the indicator after 10 years (Table F-9), or 50 years (Table F-10), of implementation of each alternative. Table F-11 identifies a description (poor, fair, or good) for the indicator based on the indicator values.

The effects by alternative are summarized in the following table:

F - 70 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Table F-9. Current Condition and Expected Condition of Indicators at End of First Decade

Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 10 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Alkaline Glades and Barrens See Mafic and Alkaline Glades Ecological System Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands

Total acres of area sensitive grasslands, shrublands or open woodlands 23,247 56,414 74,113 119,587 26,676 85,057 64,414 119,587 119,587 119,587 119,587 Shrublands > 40 acres 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 Area Sensitive Grasslands Area sensitive open Habitat grasslands greater than 100 ac 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 Area Sensitive Grasslands Area sensitive open habitat grasslands greater than 40 ac 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodlands

Area sensitive open habitat shrubland and open woodland greater than 100 ac 22,569 55,736 73,435 118,909 25,998 84,379 63,736 118,909 118,909 118,909 118,909 Shrublands > 100 acres 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109

Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Associates

Cove, spruce, pine, oak, northern hardwood and riparian ecological systems 898,162 890,272 912,998 884,844 913,891 871,957 871,957 896,272 904,925 885,149 884,849 Calciphiles Total High-Quality Habitat Type Acres 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823

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Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 10 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Caves See Caves and Karstlands Ecological System Cavity Trees, Den Trees and Snags

Compliance with den/cavity tree and snag guidelines Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Cliff and Talus and large rock outcrops Compliance with cliff, talus and large rock outcrop guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Cove Forests See Cove Forests Ecological System Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Acres burned at desired frequency in all systems 26,144 35,855 53,555 99,028 6,118 64,498 43,855 99,028 99,028 99,028 99,028 Grasslands Existing grasslands in open conditions 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 1,387 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 Total grasslands acres 2,773 3,886 4,240 5,149 1,904 4,458 4,046 5,149 5,149 5,149 5,149 Hard and Soft Mast Dependent Total shrubland acres 31,967 42,447 19,347 48,447 18,447 61,447 61,447 36,447 28,447 48,447 48,447 Regenerating forest, pine + oak 29,232 39,742 17,622 44,242 16,742 56,947 56,947 33,742 24,162 43,442 44,228 Mature Oak 650,442 630,526 651,696 628,526 652,526 613,321 613,321 637,536 649,156 627,836 627,050 Open canopy pine + oak 19,275 50,309 67,648 109,653 16,742 78,058 59,002 109,653 109,653 109,653 109,653 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forests

Total acres of oak, cove or pine ecosystems in mid-late succession at elevations >3000 feet 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312

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Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 10 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or open woodlands Total High Elevation Grassland acres 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 Total high elevation shrubland acres 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 Regeneration at high elevation 5,599 7,526 3,278 8,630 3,113 11,021 11,021 6,423 4,952 8,630 8,630

Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest Mature and late successional oak, cove and northern hardwoods 689,162 679,772 701,548 676,844 702,391 661,457 661,457 686,782 697,425 675,659 675,359 Lepidopterans - Compliance with lepidopteran guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Mafic Rocks See Mafic and Alkaline Glades Ecological System Occurrence Protection Compliance with Species Occurrence Guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Open Woodlands

Open canopy pine, oak, mafic, cliff, riparian, cove, northern hardwood systems 22,460 55,627 73,326 118,800 25,889 84,270 63,627 118,800 118,800 118,800 118,800 Regenerating Forests Regenerating forest, pine, oak, cove, northern hardwood systems 30,444 40,924 17,824 46,924 16,924 59,924 59,924 34,924 26,924 46,924 46,924 Riparian See Riparian Ecological System Ruderal Compliance with ruderal species guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 10 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Sandstone Glades and Barrens Compliance with sandstone glades species guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sensitive to Over-Collection Compliance with guidelines for over collection No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sensitive to Recreation Traffic Compliance with recreation traffic guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Shale Barrens See Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Ecological System Shrublands Total shrubland acres 31,967 42,447 19,347 48,447 18,447 61,447 61,447 36,447 28,447 48,447 48,447 Total maintained Shrubland acres 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 Species in a Special Biologic Area

Special Biological Area Managed for the habitat needed by the species Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes *This version of Alternative D uses a level of prescribed burning of 5,000 acres per year Alt A1 represents the effects of the level of activities accomplished during the past three years (2009 through 2011) under the 1993 Forest Plan.

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Table F-10. Current Condition and Expected Condition of Indicators at End of Fifth Decade

Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 50 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Alkaline glades and barrens See Mafic and Alkaline Glades Ecological System Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands

Total acres of area sensitive grasslands, shrublands or open woodlands 23,247 63,278 107,916 191,191 32,777 129,231 87,207 191,191 191,200 191,191 191,191 Shrublands > 40 acres 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 398 Area Sensitive Grasslands. Area sensitive open Habitat grasslands greater than 100 ac 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 224 Area Sensitive Grasslands. Area sensitive open habitat grasslands greater than 40 ac 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 389 Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodlands

Area sensitive open habitat shrubland and open woodland greater than 100 ac 22,569 62,600 107,238 190,513 32,099 128,553 86,529 190,513 190,522 190,513 190,513 Shrublands > 100 acres 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109 109

Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Associates Cove, spruce, pine, oak, northern hardwood and riparian ecological systems 898,162 882,514 993,786 863,259 998,078 788,388 788,388 916,563 965,265 857,706 857,280 Calciphiles Total High-Quality Habitat Type Acres 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823 6,823

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 75

APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 50 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Caves See Caves and Karstlands Ecological System Cavity Trees, Den Trees and Snags

Compliance with den/cavity tree and snag guidelines Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Cliff and Talus and large rock outcrops Compliance with cliff, talus and large rock outcrop guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Cove Forests See Cove Forests Ecological System Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced

Acres burned at desired frequency in all systems 26,144 42,720 87,358 170,641 12,219 108,681 66,657 170,641 170,641 170,641 170,641 Grasslands Existing grasslands in open conditions 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 1,387 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 2,773 Total grasslands acres 2,773 4,023 4,916 6,581 2,026 5,342 4,501 6,581 6,581 6,581 6,581 Hard and Soft Mast Dependent Total shrubland acres 31,967 42,400 19,300 48,392 18,400 61,392 61,392 36,392 28,400 48,392 48,392 Regenerating forest, pine + oak 29,232 39,742 17,622 44,242 16,742 56,947 56,947 33,742 24,162 43,442 44,228 Mature Oak 650,442 611,059 716,909 601,059 721,059 525,034 525,034 646,109 703,959 597,609 593,679 Open canopy pine + oak 19,275 55,389 96,730 175,165 16,742 118,485 79,539 175,165 175,165 175,165 175,165 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forests

Total acres of oak, cove or pine ecosystems in mid-late succession at elevations >3000 feet 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312 156,312

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Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 50 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or open woodlands Total High Elevation Grassland acres 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 411 Total high elevation shrubland acres 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 151 Regeneration at high elevation 5,599 7,518 3,269 8,620 3,104 11,010 11,010 6,413 4,943 8,620 8,620

Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest Mature and late successional oak, cove and northern hardwoods 689,162 672,015 782,337 654,418 786,579 577,047 577,047 706,232 757,766 647,375 646,949 Lepidopterans - Compliance with lepidopteran guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Mafic Rocks See Mafic and Alkaline Glades Ecological System Occurrence Protection

Compliance with Species Occurrence Guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Open Woodlands

Open canopy pine, oak, mafic, cliff, riparian, cove, northern hardwood systems 22,460 62,491 107,129 190,404 31,990 128,444 86,420 190,404 190,413 190,404 190,404 Regenerating Forests Regenerating forest, pine, oak, cove, northern hardwood systems 30,444 40,877 17,777 46,869 16,877 59,869 59,869 34,869 26,877 46,869 46,869

Riparian See Riparian Ecological System Ruderal

Compliance with ruderal species guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Group Condition of Indicator at end of 50 years Current Alts H Indicator Condition Alt A Alt A1 Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt D* Alt E Alt F Alt G and I

Sandstone Glades and Barrens Compliance with sandstone glades species guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sensitive to Over-Collection Compliance with guidelines for over collection No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Sensitive to Recreation Traffic Compliance with recreation traffic guidelines No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Shale Barrens See Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Ecological System Shrublands Total shrubland acres 31,967 42,400 19,300 48,392 18,400 61,392 61,392 36,392 28,400 48,392 48,392 Total maintained Shrubland acres 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 1,523 Species in a Special Biologic Area

Special Biological Area Managed for the habitat needed by the species Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes *This version of Alternative D uses a level of prescribed burning of 5,000 acres per year Alt A1 represents the effects of the level of activities accomplished during the past three years (2009 through 2011) under the 1993 Forest Plan.

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Table F-11. Description of Indicator Condition Species Group Current Indicator Condition Poor Fair Good Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Open Woodlands <200,637 200,637 – Total acres of area sensitive acres, 520,927 acres or 520,927 – grasslands, shrublands or >751,549 631,109 – 631,109 open woodlands 23,247 acres 751,549 acres acres <90% (358 100% (398 acres) of acres) existing 90-99% of existing existing blocks are blocks are blocks are Shrublands > 40 acres 398 maintained maintained maintained Area Sensitive Grasslands <90% (202 100% (224 acres) of acres) Area sensitive open Habitat existing 90-99 % of existing existing grasslands greater than 100 blocks are blocks are blocks are ac 224 maintained maintained maintained Area Sensitive Grasslands <90% (350 100% (389 acres) of acres) existing existing Area sensitive open habitat blocks 90-99% of existing blocks are grasslands greater than 40 ac 389 retained blocks retained maintained Area Sensitive Shrubland and Open Woodlands <199,959 199,959 – Area sensitive open habitat acres, 520,249 or shrubland and open woodland >750,871 630,431 – 520,249 – greater than 100 ac 22,569 acres 750,871 630,431 <90% (90 100% (109 acres) of acres) existing 90-99% of existing existing blocks are blocks are blocks are Shrublands > 100 acres 109 maintained maintained maintained Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Associates <404,838 404,838 – Cove, spruce, pine, oak, acres, 524,246 acres or 524,246 – northern hardwood and >940,427 706,398 – 706,398 riparian ecological systems 898,162 acres 940,427 acres acres Calciphiles 0-25% (1,705 50% (3,412 acres) of acres) of Total High-Quality Habitat Type locations in 26-49% of locations in Acres 6,823 SBA locations in SBA SBA Cavity Trees, Den Trees and Snags

Compliance with den/cavity tree and snag guidelines Yes No Yes

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Group Current Indicator Condition Poor Fair Good Cliff and Talus and large rock outcrops Compliance with cliff, talus and large rock outcrop guidelines No No Yes Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced <199,850 199,850 – acres, 520,140 acres or 520,140 – Acres burned at desired >750,762 630,322 – 630,322 frequency in all systems 26,144 acres 750,762 acres acres Grasslands all (2,773 80-100% of acres) <80% (2,218 existing existing acres) of grasslands, many grasslands in Existing grasslands in open existing dominated by native conditions 2,773 grasslands native grasses grasses 3-5% (22,682 - <1% (7,561 37,803 acres) of oak acres) of Oak ecosystem 1-3% of oak ecosystem Total grasslands acres 2,773 acres ecosystem acres acres High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forests >90% =<70% (140,680 (109,418 acres) of Total acres of oak, cove or acres)of current pine ecosystems in mid-late current 70-90% of current forested succession at elevations forested area forested area area >3000 >3000 feet 156,312 >3000 feet >3000 feet feet High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or open woodlands all existing 80-100% of (411 acres) <80% (329 existing high high acres) of elevation elevation existing high grasslands grasslands elevation maintained, many maintained Total High Elevation Grassland grasslands dominated by in native acres 411 maintained native grasses grasses all existing (151 acres) <80% (121 high acres) of 80-100% of elevation existing high existing high shrublands elevation elevation maintained Total high elevation shrubland shrublands shrublands in native acres 151 maintained maintained grasses

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GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Group Current Indicator Condition Poor Fair Good Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Forest <256,617 256,617 – 337,114 Mature and late successional acres, 337,114 acres or acres – oak, cove and northern >733,839 507,917 – 507,917 hardwoods 689,162 acres 733,839 acres acres Lepidopterans Compliance with lepidopteran guidelines No No Yes Occurrence Protection Compliance with Species Occurrence Guidelines No No Yes Open Woodlands <199,850 199,850 – Open canopy pine, oak, mafic, acres, 520,140 acres or 520,140 – cliff, riparian, cove, northern >750,762 630,322 – 630,322 hardwood systems 22,460 acres 750,762 acres acres Regenerating Forests <29,777 Regenerating forest, pine, oak, acres, 29,777 - 58,543 58,543 – cove, northern hardwood >295,766 acres or 92,992 – 92,992 systems 30,444 acres 295,766 acre acres Ruderal Compliance with ruderal species guidelines No No Yes Sandstone Glades and Barrens

Compliance with sandstone glades species guidelines No No Yes Sensitive to Over-Collection

Compliance with guidelines for over collection No No Yes Sensitive to Recreation Traffic

Compliance with recreation traffic guidelines No No Yes Shrublands <31,569 acres, 31,569 – 79,238 79,238 - >300,659 acres or 125,434 125,434 Total shrubland acres 31,967 acres – 300,659 acres acres Total maintained Shrubland acres 1,523 <762 acres 1,523 acres Species in a Special Biologic Area Special Biological Area Managed for the habitat needed by the species Yes No Yes

The complete summary of stresses and threats for each species and how it is addressed in the Forest Plan is in Appendix F3.

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

6.0 PLAN COMPONENTS NEEDED FOR SPECIES DIVERSITY

6.1 INTRODUCTION

A wide array of species occurs on the GWNF, with many species sharing common habitat requirements that are associated with particular ecological systems. Plan components developed for ecosystem diversity are fundamental to providing appropriate ecological conditions for sustaining species diversity. Most species’ requirements would be met in whole through ecosystem diversity plan components, meaning that provisions to restore, maintain, and protect ecological systems are sufficient to sustain plant and animal species on the forest. The first portion of this section describes how species with similar habitat needs are grouped and addressed through plan components for ecosystem diversity.

Although most species on NFS lands would be conserved through the management of healthy and productive ecosystems, even under the best conditions some species require additional attention. In the second portion of this section, those species that require further plan components are grouped by similar species needs and additional recommended plan components (typically standards) are identified for each species group. With the addition of these plan components, sustainability needs for all species would be addressed.

6.2 SPECIES GROUPS COVERED BY ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY PLAN COMPONENTS

Those species groups whose habitat needs would be met in whole, or in part, through achieving the desired conditions for the ecological systems are identified in the following table.

Table F-12. Relationship of Species Groups to Ecological Systems Species Group Associated Ecological System(s) Needs Met in Whole Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and X Alkaline Glades and Barrens Barrens Area Sensitive Late Successional Spruce Forest, Northern Hardwood Forest, Cove Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest, Oak Forests and Woodlands, Pine Forests and X Forests Woodlands, Floodplains Wetlands and Riparian Areas. Calciphiles Caves and Karstlands Caves Caves and Karstlands X Cliff and Talus and Large Rock

Outcrops Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Cove Forests Cove Forests X Pine Forests and Woodlands, Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and X Barrens Fire Dependent and Fire Enhanced Oak Forests and Woodlands Hard and Soft Mast Dependent Oak Forests and Woodlands Northern Hardwood Forests Spruce Forests

High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Pine Forests and Woodlands and/or Mixed Forests Oak Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Late Successional Hardwood Cove Forests X Dominated Forest Northern Hardwood Forests Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and X Mafic Rocks Barrens

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Species Group Associated Ecological System(s) Needs Met in Whole Oak Forests and Woodlands High Elevation Openings, Grassy or Northern Hardwood Forests X Shrubby or Open Woodlands Pine Forests and Woodlands Shale Barrens Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens Oak Forests and Woodlands Cove Forest X Regenerating Forests Pine Forests and Woodlands Oak Forests and Woodlands Cove Forest Pine Forests and Woodlands Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Shrublands Barrens Northern Hardwood Forests Oak Forests and Woodlands Cove Forest Pine Forests and Woodlands X Alkaline Glade and Woodlands and Mafic Glades and Open Woodlands Barrens Northern Hardwood Forests Shale Barrens Cliff, Talus and Shale Barrens X Riparian Floodplains, Wetlands and Riparian Areas X

6.3 SPECIES GROUPS REQUIRING ADDITIONAL PLAN COMPONENTS

This section provides details on groups of species that will require further plan components in addition to those already provided by ecological diversity. Management strategies and appropriate plan components are recommended for each group. These groups represent small spatial scales and groups of species associated with localized conditions and features that cross ecosystem boundaries.

6.3.1 Calciphile Associates Plan Components

Ecosystem diversity plan components include desired conditions and objectives for the Cave and Karstland Ecological System and standards for caves and karstlands. Special Biological Areas should be established for the most representative calciphile sites.

Management Strategies

The communities that are most representative of the calciphile associates should be established as Special Biological Areas. These include all the areas recommended by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program. As additional significant areas are identified they should be added as special biological areas. 6.3.2 Cavity Tree, Den Tree and Snag Associates Plan Components

Ecosystem diversity plan components include desired conditions for managed forest to provide habitat for denning and cavity nesting species. Rock falls, caves, uprooted trees, and cavity trees of all sizes serve as suitable nesting and denning sites.

The following make up the den/cavity tree and snag guidelines. Compliance with these guidelines should be met through use of standards that will address the needs of the cavity and den tree associates like:

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

· FW: Favor the retention of large (>20" d.b.h.) standing snags and den trees when implementing silvicultural treatments. Active bear den trees are retained in harvest areas along with an unharvested buffer of at least 100 feet wide on all sides of the den. · FW: When applying herbicide, protect non-target vegetation, especially threatened, endangered, proposed, or sensitive plants by employing a physical barrier between them and the area being treated. The physical barrier must be sufficient to protect the non-target vegetation from herbicide drift and flow. · 7C: Favor the retention of large (>20" d.b.h.2) standing snags and den trees when implementing silvicultural treatments. · Desired Condition for Management Prescription 13: Rockfalls, caves, road culverts, uprooted trees, and trees larger than 22 inches in diameter serve as potential dens. Known den trees are retained in harvest areas and future den trees will be recruited over the long term on the many acres in older age classes. · Indiana-bat standards FW: In order to promote potential summer roost trees and maternity sites for the Indiana bat throughout the Forest, planned silvicultural practices in hardwood-dominated forest types will leave all shagbark hickory trees greater than 6 inches d.b.h. and larger, except when they pose a safety hazard. In addition: · Clearcut openings 10 to 25 acres in size will also retain a minimum average of 6 snags or cavity trees per acre, 9 inches d.b.h. or larger, scattered or clumped. · Group selection openings and clearcuts less than 10 acres in size have no provision for retention of a minimum number of snags, cavity trees, or residual basal area due the small opening size and safety concerns. · All other harvesting methods (and clearcut openings 26-40 acres in size) will retain a minimum residual 15 square feet of basal area per acre (including 6 snags or cavity trees) scattered or clumped. Residual trees are greater than 6 inches d.b.h. with priority given to the largest available trees, which exhibit characteristics favored as roost trees by Indiana bats. · 8E4: In order to promote fall foraging and swarming areas, timber activities will leave all shagbark hickory trees and retain a minimum average of 6 snags or cavity trees (greater than or equal to 9 inches d.b.h.) per acre as potential roost sites (except where they pose a safety hazard). For group selection harvest method, all shagbark hickories are maintained (except where they pose a safety hazard) with no provision for minimum number of snags or cavity trees due to the small opening size.

Management Strategies

Cavity and den trees are generally not limiting and with the increasing age of most of the trees in most of the ecological systems, cavity and den trees will become even more common. The key characteristics for this group are recruitment of new den/cavity trees and retention of existing trees, particularly in areas where management activities are planned. This should be done through the use of den/cavity tree and snag guidelines. 6.3.3 Cliff, Talus and Rock Outcrop Associates

Plan Components

Ecosystem diversity plan components include desired conditions and objectives for the Cliff and Talus and Shale Barrens ecological systems. In addition is the Cliff, Talus and Large Rock Outcrop guideline, described in the following standard: When land disturbing projects are proposed in these areas: · identified species associated with this group will be searched for; and · effects of the proposed project on the species will be evaluated

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Management Strategies

Manage these areas to enhance habitat for TESLR species that may occur there. Follow the Cliff, Talus and Large Rock Outcrop guidelines for managing these areas. 6.3.4 Hard and Soft Mast Associates Plan Components

Ecosystem diversity plan components include desired conditions and objectives for open canopy, regenerating forests and mature trees (oak) in the Oak and Pine Forest and Woodlands ecological systems. In addition, an objective is needed to maintain existing shrubland areas on the GWNF.

Management Strategies

Manage to restore and maintain the open woodlands, regenerating forests and existing shrublands that produce a mixture of hard and soft mast. 6.3.5 High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous and/or Mixed Forest Associates Plan Components

Desired conditions and objectives that maintain the Spruce, Northern Hardwood Forest, Cove Forest, Oak Forest and Woodland, and Pine Forest and Woodland ecological systems will support this group.

Management Strategies

Manage to maintain the forested environment at high elevations (>3,000 feet). This would include all successional stages of the forests. Spruce restoration may include planting red spruce seedlings, removing exotic tree plantations, and releasing red spruce from hardwood overstory. 6.3.6 Lepidopterans Plan Components

Lepidopteran guidelines should be incorporated with the following standard: When projects are proposed in areas where these species occur: · the area where the species occurs and adjacent habitat will not be treated with Dimilin, BT or other insecticides that kill lepidopterans other than gypsy moth; and · the entire area where the species occurs will not be part of a single prescribed burn; burning will be done only in patches of the occupied habitat.

Management Strategies

Species in this group are especially sensitive to the direct effects of fire, and care should be taken whenever fire is used in areas where they are known to occur. There are no direct key characteristics for this group; however, project monitoring can determine if damage is occurring to species. These species are limited in occurrence on the GWNF, therefore implementation of special provisions at the project level are unlikely to interfere with completion of work. · When developing burn plans, the following should be considered at a minimum for all species in this group: · Is any species from this group present or have potential to be present in project area? · Is species habitat present in project area? · What are the negative effects of fire to species?

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APPENDIX F – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

· What mitigation can be performed to reduce impacts to species, i.e. burning during specific part of life- cycle (hibernation, non-breeding, dormancy, etc.); protecting individuals from direct effects of fire; protecting duff layer in mesic areas; etc.? · Are there sufficient populations of this species adjacent to the project area to re-populate after the project? · Are there any additional techniques that can be used to reduce impacts?

Consideration of and mitigation for these questions should provide for species in this group.

6.3.7 Species Needing Occurrence Protection Plan Components

Because these species are low in occurrence across the GWNF and cannot be accurately predicted by availability of habitat, ecosystem and species diversity plan components should provide some protection for these species, but additional provisions are needed due to their rarity and sensitivity to management. The following standard should be created to implement the Species Occurrence Guidelines: When projects are proposed in areas where species in this group are likely to occur (known county, proximity to known populations, suitable habitat): · identified species associated with this group will be searched for; and · effects of the proposed project on the species will be evaluated

Management Strategies

These species are rare in occurrence across the forest and known populations should be protected. Implement the Species Occurrence Guidelines to protect these species. 6.3.8 Open Area Associates Plan Components

Because these openings blend into one another, the objectives to meet the needs for these species groups could include: · Maintain and enhance old fields, short/medium/tall grasslands at old farm tracts. · Maintain grassland habitat. Maintain all current areas that are greater than 40 acres in size in patches at least that size, or greater. Maintain all current areas that are greater than 100 acres in size in patches at least that size. · Maintain shrubland habitat. Areas of forest will be in the 0-10 year age class from regeneration harvest. Restore and maintain areas in open woodland conditions through the use of fire on an annual basis. Create or maintain grasslands, shrublands or regenerating forests on high elevation (>3,000 feet) land. · Maintain or create old fields or clusters of maintained openings (1-5 acres in size) on sites greater than 2,000 feet elevation.

Management Strategies

All of these types of opening are important. Manage to maintain existing grasslands and shrublands of all sizes. For some species it is important to maintain openings of a given size (greater than 40 acres or greater than 100 acres). Moving towards the desired open woodland component of the Oak Forest and Woodland and Pine Forest and Woodland ecological systems will produce open woodlands of a variety of sizes, including those greater than 100 acres in size. Meeting the regenerating forest objectives of the ecological systems is also important for this group. Objectives for openings at high elevations also need to be included.

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It is important that these open conditions be incorporated within a forested environment. Many species need a combination of closed canopy and open canopy conditions during various parts of their life cycle. This is particularly important for many bird species. 6.3.9 Ruderal Associates Plan Components

Add a standard to manage the old home sites, roadsides, old fields where members of the ruderal species group are found in conditions that maintain their open character.

Management Strategies

Manage the old home sites, roadsides, old fields where these species are found in conditions that maintain their open character. 6.3.10 Sandstone Glades and Barrens Associates Plan Components

Establish Special Biological Areas for areas that represent high quality examples of this habitat.

Management Strategies

Sandstone glades and barrens may transition with other systems like cliff, talus and shale barrens. Where good examples of the sandstone glade and barren habitat are present, they are identified as Special Biological Areas. As more are identified they will be added as Special Biological Areas. 6.3.11 Species Sensitive to Over-Collection Plan Components

Plan components include species diversity desired conditions and the following standards to limit collection of species occurring within rare communities to approved scientific purposes only: · Limit permission to collect these species; · Limit sharing of location information of these species; · Avoid improving access to these locations; · Evaluate seasonal closure of access to these locations; · Evaluate relocation of access to these locations.

Management Strategies

The strategy for these species is to continue to educate the public on species needs, restrict access to known populations, and limit approval of collections of these species to scientific purposes only. 6.3.12 Species Sensitive to Recreational Traffic Plan Components

The following standard applies to this species group: · Provide education regarding the recreational impacts to these species; · Alert recreation users of the concerns in the area; · Avoid improving access to these locations; · Evaluate seasonal closure of access to these locations; · Evaluate relocation of access to these locations.

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Management Strategies

All species on this list occur outside of rare and wetland communities. There are no ecosystem diversity plan components which cover these species. The strategy for these species is to continue to educate the public on species needs, restrict access to rare or sensitive populations, increase road ecopassage, and implement standards to protect these species where they occur during projects that involve heavy equipment or ground disturbance. New roads and trails should be located to avoid populations of these species and existing roads and trails should be evaluated for closure if they are causing declines to populations. Many roads on the Forest are not under our control, so partnerships and collaborative efforts may be required to help sustain species in this group. 6.3.13 Species with Habitat in Special Biologic Areas These species are addressed in the Ecological Diversity Report.

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Rimer, R.L. and K.A. McCue. 2005. Restoration of Helenium virginicum Blake, a threatened plant of the Ozark Highlands. Natural Area Journal 25 (1): 86-90. Rising, James D. 1996. The Sparrows of the United States and Canada. 1996. Academic Press. San Diego, CA. Roble, Steven M. 1996. Natural Heritage Resources of Virginia: Rare Animal Species. Natural Heritage Technical Report 96-11. January 1996. VDCR-DNH. Richmond, VA Unpublished Report. Roble, Steven M. 1999. Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata) of the Shenandoah Valley Sinkhole Pond System and Vicinity, Augusta County, Virginia. 1999. Banisteria 13:101-127. Roble, Steven M., Christopher S. Hobson, and Dirk J. Stevenson 1997. New Distributional Records for Rare and Uncommon Odonata in Virginia. 1997. Banisteria No. 9. Rock, H.F.L. 1956. A revisional study of the decurrent-leaved species of the genus Helenium L. (Compositae). Ph.D. dissertation. Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Roe, Gerald F. 1977. Helenieae (Asteraceae) in Virginia. Castanea. 42:42-50. Rommé, R. C., et al. 2002. Home Range Near Hibernacula in Spring and Autumn. In: The Indiana Bat – Biology and Management of an Endangered Species. Edited by A. Kurta and J. Kennedy. Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX. Rosenberg, D.K. 1990. Characteristics of northern flying squirrel and Townsend’s chipmunk populations in second and old growth forests. M.S. thesis, Oregon State University, Corvallis, 61 pp. Sargent, Theodore D. 1976. Legion of Night, The Underwing Moths. 1976. University of Massachusetts Press. Amherst, MA. Schuler, T. and R. McCain. 2003. Fire history of the ridge and valley oak forest. Research Paper NE-724. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Research Station. 9 pp. Schweitzer, Dale B. . Personal Communication. Sesquiterpene lactone, tenulin from Helenium amarum against herbivorous insects. Journal of Natural Products 50: 690-695. Simurda, M. C. and J. S. Knox. 2000. ITS sequence evidence for the disjunct distribution between Virginia and Missouri of the narrow endemic Helenium viginicum (Asteraceae). Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 127: 316-323. Simurda, M. C., D. Marshall and J. S. Knox. 2005. Phylogeography of the narrow endemic, Helenium virginicum (Asteraceae), Based on ITS sequence comparison. Systematic Botany 30(4): 887-898. Sipple, W.S. 1993. A New Site For The Swamp Pink (Helonias Bullata) In Maryland. The Maryland Naturalist 37(3-4):24-27. Sipple, W.S. 1993. Letter Of 1 June To G.D. Cooley Re: Additional Information On Recent Swamp Pink (Helonias Bullata) Find In Anne Arundel County, And Location Of Some Of The Millponds Mentioned In Sipple's Draft Pocomoke Paper And / Or Smith's 1938 Millpond Paper. Smith, W.P. 2007. The northern flying squirrel: Biological portrait of a forest specialist in post-European settlement North America. J.Mammology 88(4):837-839. Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project. 2002. A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service-Region 8, Natural Heritage Programs in the Southeast, NatureServe, and independent scientists to develop and review data on 1300+ regionally and locally rare species in the Southern Appalachian and Alabama region. Database (Access 97) provided to the U.S. Forest Service by NatureServe, Durham, North Carolina. Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project. 2002. A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service-Region 8, Natural Heritage Programs in the Southeast, NatureServe, and independent scientists to develop and review data on 1300+ regionally and locally rare species in the Southern Appalachian and Alabama region. Database (Access 97) provided to the U.S. Forest Service by NatureServe, Durham, North Carolina.

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Sparks, J.L. 2005. Genetic variability, pathogen susceptibility, subspecies identity and conservation of the endangered northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) in Virginia. Unpublished M.S. Thesis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia. 73 pp. Stein, B.A., L.S. Kuter, and J.S. Adams, eds. 2000. Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States. The Nature Conservancy and Association for Biodiversity Information. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. Strausbaugh P. D., Earl L. Core 1964. Flora of West Virginia, Second Edition. 1964. Seneca Books, Morgantown, WV. Strausbaugh, P. D. and E. L. Core. 1977. Flora of West Virginia, 2nd. ed. Seneca Books, Grantsville, WV 1079 p. Sutter, R. 1982. The distribution and reproductive biology of Helonias bullata L. in North Carolina. North Carolina Dept. Agriculture, Plant Industry Division, Raleigh. Sutter, R.D. 1984. The status of Helonias bullata L. (Liliaceae) in the southern Appalachians. Castanea 49(1): 9-16. Sutter, R.D. 1984. The Status Of Helonias Bullata L. (Liliaceae) In The Southern Appalachians. Castanea 49:9- 16. Sutter, R.D., V. Frantz, and K.A. McCarthy. 1988. Atlas of rare and endangered plant species in North Carolina. North Carolina Dept. Agriculture, Plant Protection Section, Conservation Program, Raleigh, North Carolina. 174 pp. Terwilliger, Karen 1991. Virginia's Endangered Species. 1991. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co. Blacksburg, VA. Terwilliger, Karen, and John R. Tate 1995. A Guide to Endangered and Threatened Species in Virginia. 1995. McDonald and Woodward Publishing Co. Blacksburg, VA. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. 1979. Soil survey of Augusta County, Virginia. 249 pp. and maps. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 2011. Analysis of the Management Situation, George Washington National Forest Land Management Plan Revision. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 1989. Final listing rules approved for 10 species. Endangered Species Tech. Bull. 14(8):7-8. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Review conducted by Wendy Walsh, New Jersey Field Office, Pleasantville, NJ. [http://www.fws.gov/northeast/Endangered/PDF/Swamp%20Pink%205yr.pdf] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. Determination of Helonias bullata (swamp pink) to be a threatened species. Federal Register 53(175): 35075-35080. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1988. Shale Barren Rock Cress. Endangered Species Technical Bulletin. 13, 11- 12:5. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1989. Arabis serotina (shale barren rock cress) determined to be an endangered species. Federal Register 54(133):29655-29658. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1991. Shale barren rock cress (Arabis serotina Steele) Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, Mass. p.40. Prepared by J. Christopher Ludwig and Nancy van Alstine. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service. 1991. Swamp Pink Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, Region 5, Newton Corner, Ma. 38 Pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1992. Echinacea laevigata (smooth coneflower) determined to be endangered. Federal Register 57(196): 46340-46344.

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Smooth coneflower recovery plan. Atlanta, GA. 31 pp. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1998. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of threatened status for Virginia Sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum), a plant from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Federal Register 63(212):59239-59244. US Fish and Wildlife Service 1992. Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States. 1992. Ecological Services, Division of Endangered Species, Southeast Region. Atlanta, GA. US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2008. Northeastern Bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Pennsylvania Field Office, State College, PA. USDA Forest Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 1995. Final Environmental Impact Statement Gypsy Moth Management in the United States: A Cooperative Approach. Washington DC. USDA Forest Service. 2000. Biological Assessment for Threatened and Endangered Species on the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia. Milwaukee, WI. USDA Forest Service, Eastern Region. pp.141. USDA Forest Service. 2004. Monitoring and Evaluations Report, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests – 2004. USDA Forest Service, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Roanoke, VA. USDA Forest Service. George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. 2001. Detailed Monitoring and Evaluation Report, Fiscal Years 1999 and 2000. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984e. Recovery Plan for the Ozark Big-Eared Bat and the Virginia Big-Eared Bat. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Region III, Twin Cities, MN. 56 pp. + appendices. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. Appalachian Northern Flying Squirrel Recovery Plan. Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner, MA. 43 pages and appendices. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. James Spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, MA. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990b. James spinymussel (Pleurobema collina) Recovery Plan. Newton Corner, MA. 308pp. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999a. Agency Draft Indiana Bat Revised Recovery Plan. Ft. Snelling, MN. Draft dated March 1999. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) Recovery Plan. Hadley, MA. 70 pp. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 1996. Madison Cave Isopod (Antrolana lira) Recovery Plan. Hadley, Massachusetts. 36 pp. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2001. Appalachian Northern Flying Squirrel Recovery Plan (Updated Appendix A – Guidelines for Habitat Identification and Management for Glaucoumys sabrinus fuscus). Region 5, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hadley, MA. 6 pp. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2006. West Virginia northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Field Office, Elkins, West Virginia. 33 pp. U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2009. Madison Cave Isopod (Antrolana lira) Fact Sheet. Virginia Field Office, Gloucester, VA. Urban, V. 1998. Home range, habitat utilization and activity of the endangered northern flying squirrel. Unpublished M.S. Thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 54 pp. Van Alstine, N.E. 1991. The status of populations of Helenium virginicum Blake (Asteraceae), a Virginia endemic sneezeweed. Virginia Journal of Science 42(2):179. VDCR, Division of Natural Heritage 1991. Biological Diversity on the George Washington National Forest. Technical Report 91-1. 1991. VDCR, DNH. Richmond, VA. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. 1996. Natural Heritage resources on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of

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Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. Unpublished report submitted to U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. June 1996. Watson, Brian. 2010. VDGIF non-game aquatic biologist, mussel specialist. Personal communication. Watters, G.T. 2000. Freshwater Mussels: A Complicated Resource to Conserve. IN Freshwater Ecoregions of North America, A Conservation Assessment. R.A. Abell, D.M. Olson, E.Dinerstein, P.T. Hurley et al. (eds). Island Press. Washington, D.C. pp. 37-39. Weigl, P.D., T.W. Knowles, and A.C. Boynton. 1999. The distribution and ecology of the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus coloratus). In the Southern Appalachians. North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, Division of Wildlife Management, Raleigh, North Carolina. 93 pp. Werner, H.J. 1966. Geology of the Vesuvius quadrangle, Virginia. Virginia Division of Mineral Resources. Report #7. Wetzel, E.J. and P.D. Weigl. 1994. Ecological implications for flying squirrels (Glaucomys spp.) of effects of temperature on the in vitro development and behavior of Strongyloides robustus. American Midland Naturalist 131:43-54. Whitaker, John O. 1980. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. 1980. Alfred A. Knopf. New York, NY. Wieboldt, T.F. 1987. The shale barren endemic, Arabis serotina (Brassicaceae). Sida 12(2):381-389. Wilson, L.K. 1990. Swamp pink (Helonias bullata) recovery plan. Prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Newton Corner, MA. 41 pp. Wilson, Lawrence A. 1995. Land Manager's Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of the South. 1995. The Nature Conservancy. Chapel Hill, NC. Wofford, B. Eugune 1989. Guide to the Vascular Plants of the Blue Ridge. 1989. University of Georgia Press. Athens, GA.

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APPENDIX F1. SPECIES NOT CARRIED FORWARD INTO THE ECOLOGICAL SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS

Taxon Scientific Name Common Name Rationale Amphibian Plethodon shenandoah Shenandoah salamander 1 Amphibian Pseudacris brachyphona Mountain chorus frog 5 Arachnid Anthrobia mammouthia Mammoth cave spider 4a Arachnid Apochthonius coecus A cave pseudoscorpion 4a Arachnid Chitrella superba A cave pseudoscorpion 4a Arachnid Mundochthonius holsingeri A cave pseudoscorpion 1 Bird Dendroica caerulescens black-throated blue warbler 5 Bird Ixobrychus exilis exilis least bittern 1 Bird Melanerpes erythrocephalus red-headed woodpecker 3 Bird Oporornis formosus Kentucky warbler 3 Bird Rallus elegans King rail 1 Insect Euphyes bimacula Two-spotted skipper 4a Insect Properigea costa A noctuid moth 4a Insect Pseudanophthalmus fuscus A cave beetle 1 Insect Pseudanophthalmus hubbardi Hubbard's cave beetle 1 Insect Pseudanophthalmus hypertrichosis A cave beetle 1 Insect Pseudanophthalmus pontis Natural Bridge cave beetle 1 Insect Pseudanophthalmus potomaca South Branch Valley cave beetle 4a Insect Pseudanopthalmus parvicollis Thin-necked cave beetle 4a Insect Pseudosinella granda A cave springtail 4a Insect Pygmarrhopalites lacuna A cave springtail 1 Insect Pygmarrhopalites pavo A cave springtail 1 Insect Pygmarrhopalites silvus A cave springtail 1 Insect Remenus kirchneri Blue Ridge springfly 1 Insect Schaefferia hubbardi A cave springtail 4a Insect Strophopteryx limata Newfound willowfly 1 Insect Sweltsa voshelli Virginia sallfly 1 Invertebrate Amaurobius borealis Spider 4a Invertebrate Anaplectoides brunneomedia Brown-lined dart moth 4a Invertebrate Antrolana lira Madison Cave isopod 1 Invertebrate Caecidotea bowmani Natural Bridge cave isopod 4a Invertebrate Caecidotea vandeli Vandel's cave isopod 4a Invertebrate Cleidogona fidelitor Faithful millipede 4a Invertebrate Clubiona spiralis Two-clawed hunting spider 4a Invertebrate Euchlaena milnei Looper moth 4a

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Taxon Scientific Name Common Name Rationale Invertebrate Lytrosis permagnaria Geometrid moth 4a Invertebrate Melanoplus acrophilus acrophilus Short-winged melanoplus 1 Invertebrate Melanoplus cherokee Cherokee melanoplus 1 Invertebrate Melanoplus divergens Divergent melanoplus 1 Invertebrate Melanoplus serrulatus Serrulate melanoplus 1 Invertebrate Paravitrea reesei Round supercoil 1 Invertebrate Procotyla typhlops A groundwater planarian 1 Invertebrate Pseudanophthalmus limicola Mud-dwelling cave beetle 1 Invertebrate Pseudotremia alecto Millipede 4a Invertebrate Scudderia septentrionalis Northern bush katydid 1 Invertebrate Sphaeroderus schaumii Schaum's ground beetle 4a Invertebrate Sphalloplana virginiana Rockbridge County cave planarian 1 Invertebrate Stygobromus baroodyi Rockbridge County cave amphipod 4a Invertebrate Stygobromus biggersi Bigger's cave amphipod 1 Invertebrate Stygobromus estesi Craig County cave amphipod 1 Invertebrate Stygobromus fergusoni Montgomery County cave amphipod 1 Invertebrate Stygobromus pseudospinosus Luray Caverns amphipod 4a Invertebrate Stygobromus spinosus Blue Ridge spring amphipod 4a Invertebrate Stylodrilus beattiei A cave lumbriculid worm 4a Invertebrate Synanthedon castaneae Chestnut clearwing moth 1 Invertebrate Trimerotropis saxatalis Rock-loving grasshopper 1 Mammal Juncus articulatus jointed rush 4a Mammal Stygobromus stegerorum Madison Cave amphipod 4a Nonvascular Plant Anastrophyllum saxicola Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Anzia americana Foliose lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Brachydontium trichodes Peak moss 1 Nonvascular Plant Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens Moss 1 Nonvascular Plant Buxbaumia minakatae Bug-on-a-stick moss 4a Nonvascular Plant Cephaloziella massalongi Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Cephaloziella spinicaulis Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Diplophyllum obtusatum Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Drepanolejeunea appalachiana Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Entodon sullivantii Sullivant's entodon 1 Nonvascular Plant Ephebe solida Fructicose lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Fissidens appalachensis Appalachian pocket moss 1 Nonvascular Plant Heterodermia appalachensis Foliose lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Homaliadelphus sharpii Sharp's homaliadelphus 1

F - 102 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F1 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Taxon Scientific Name Common Name Rationale Nonvascular Plant Hygrohypnum closteri Closter's brook-hypnum 1 Nonvascular Plant Hypotrachyna virginica Foliose Lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Lejeunea blomquistii Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Leptodontium excelsum Grandfather Mountain excelsum 1 Nonvascular Plant Lophocolea appalachiana Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Macrocoma sullivantii Sullivant's manned-moss 1 Nonvascular Plant Melanelia stygia Foliose lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Metzgeria fruticulosa (=M. temperata) Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Metzgeria uncigera Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Palamocladium leskeoides Palamocladium 1 Nonvascular Plant Pannaria conoplea Foliose lichen 1 Pellia appalachiana (= Pelia X Nonvascular Plant appalachiana) Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Physcia pseudospeciosa Rosette lichen 1 Nonvascular Plant Plagiochila austinii Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Plagiochila caduciloba Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Plagiochila sullivantii var. sullivantii Sullivant's leafy liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Plagiochila virginica var virginica Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Polytrichum appalachianum Appalachian haircap moss 1 Nonvascular Plant Riccardia jugata Liverwort 1 Nonvascular Plant Sphagnum fallax Pretty peatmoss 3 Nonvascular Plant Sphagnum flavicomans Peatmoss 1 Nonvascular Plant Sphagnum girgensohnii Girgensohn's peatmoss 1 Nonvascular Plant Sphagnum quinquefarium Five-rowed peatmoss 1 Nonvascular Plant Tetrodontium brownianum Little Georgia moss 1 Tortula ammonsiana = Syntrichia Nonvascular Plant ammonsiana Ammon's tortula 1 Nonvascular Plant Xanthoparmelia monticola Xanthoparmelia lichen 1 Reptile Terrapene carolina eastern box turtle 5 Snail Fontigens tartarea Organ cavesnail 4a Snail Glyphyalinia picea Rust glyph 4a Snail Helicodiscus lirellus Rubble coil 4a Vascular Plant Aconitum reclinatum white monkshood 1 Vascular Plant Agastache scrophulariifolia Giant purple hyssop 5 Vascular Plant Allium oxyphilum Nodding onion 1 Vascular Plant Anemone canadensis Canada anemone 1 Vascular Plant Arabis hirsuta var. adpressipilis hairy rockcress 1 Vascular Plant Arethusa bulbosa Dragon's mouth 1 Vascular Plant Aster laevis var. concinnus Smooth purple aster 5 Vascular Plant Baptisia australis blue wild-indigo 5

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 103 APPENDIX F1 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Taxon Scientific Name Common Name Rationale Vascular Plant Berberis canadensis American barberry 1 Botrychium matricariifolium = Vascular Plant Sceptridium oneidense Chamomile grape fern 4a Vascular Plant Botrychium oneidense Blunt-lobed grape fern 4b Vascular Plant Bouteloua curtipendula Side-oats grama 5 Vascular Plant Calamagrostis canadensis Canada reedgrass 5 Vascular Plant Camassia scilloides wild hyacinth 1 Vascular Plant Campanula aparinoides Marsh bellflower 5 Vascular Plant Carex conoidea field sedge 1 Vascular Plant Carex cristatella crested sedge 1 Vascular Plant Carex hitchcockiana Hitchcock's sedge 5 Vascular Plant Carex interior inland sedge 1 Vascular Plant Carex ormostachya necklace spike sedge 1 Vascular Plant Carex pedunculata longstalk sedge 1 Vascular Plant Carex plantaginea Plantain-leaved sedge 3 Vascular Plant Carex tetanica rigid sedge 5 Vascular Plant Carex trisperma Three-seeded sedge 5 Vascular Plant Carex verrucosa Warty sedge 1 Vascular Plant Chenopodium simplex Giant-seed goosefoot 3 Vascular Plant Cymophyllus fraserianus Fraser's sedge 5 Vascular Plant Diarrhena americana Eastern beakgrass 5 Vascular Plant Dicentra eximia Bleeding heart 5 Vascular Plant Dirca palustris Leatherwood 3 Vascular Plant Eriophorum virginicum Tawny cotton-grass 3 Vascular Plant Eupatorium godfreyanum Godfrey's thoroughwort 5 Vascular Plant Geum aleppicum yellow avens 1 Vascular Plant Hasteola suaveolens False Indian-plantain 1 Vascular Plant Helianthus atrorubens Savanna hairy sunflower 5 Vascular Plant Helianthus laevigatus smooth sunflower 5 Vascular Plant Heuchera parviflora Little-leaved alumroot 1 Vascular Plant Hexalectris spicata crested coralroot 5 Vascular Plant Hydrocotyle americana American pennywort 3 Vascular Plant Hypericum ellipticum pale St. John's-wort 1 Vascular Plant Isoetes virginica Virginia quillwort 1 Vascular Plant Isotria medeoloides small whorled pogonia 1 Vascular Plant Juncus subcaudatus Woods rush 5 Vascular Plant Lachnanthes caroliniana Carolina redroot 1 Vascular Plant Listera smallii Kidney-leaf twayblade 5

F - 104 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F1 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Taxon Scientific Name Common Name Rationale Vascular Plant Lithospermum latifolium American gromwell 5 Vascular Plant Lycopodiella margueritae Marguerite's clubmoss 1 Vascular Plant Lycopodium annotinum Stiff clubmoss 5 Vascular Plant Lysimachia radicans trailing loosestrife 1 Vascular Plant Malaxis bayardii Appalachian adder's-mouth 1 Vascular Plant Milium effusum Millet grass 5 Vascular Plant Monarda didyma Oswego Tea 5 Vascular Plant Orontium aquaticum Golden club 3 Vascular Plant Penstemon hirsutus hairy beardtoungue 5 Vascular Plant Platanthera flava var. herbiola Turbercled rein-orchid 5 Vascular Plant Polygonum arifolium = arifolia Halberdleaf tearthumb 5 Polygonum cilinode = Fallopia Vascular Plant cilinodis Fringed black bindweed 4b Vascular Plant Pycnanthemum virginianum Virginia mountain mint 5 Vascular Plant Ranunculus trichophyllus white water crowfoot 1 Vascular Plant Ribes lacustre bristly black currant 4b Vascular Plant Robinia hispida var kelseyi Kelsey's locust 4b Vascular Plant Robinia viscosa Clammy locust 4b Vascular Plant Sanicula trifoliata Large-fruited snakeroot 5 Vascular Plant Saxifraga careyana Golden-eye saxifrage 1 Vascular Plant Saxifraga caroliniana Carolina saxifrage 1 Vascular Plant Solidago squarrosa Squarrose goldenrod 5 Vascular Plant Sphenopholis pensylvanica Swamp wedgescale 3 Vascular Plant Stellaria longifolia Longleaf stitchwort 5 Vascular Plant Talinum teretifolium Roundleaf flame-flower 1 Vascular Plant Taxus canadensis Canada yew 5 Vascular Plant Thermopsis mollis (= T. m. var. mollis) Appalachian golden-banner 1 Vascular Plant Torreyochloa pallida Pale mannagrass 5 Vascular Plant Triosteum aurantiacum Horse gentian 5 Vascular Plant Vaccinium hirsutum Hairy blueberry 1 Vascular Plant Viola appalachiensis Appalachian blue violet 1 Vascular Plant Viola conspersa American dog violet 5 Vascular Plant Woodwardia areolata Netted chain fern 5 Key to Rationale 1 - No occurrences or habitat known on the Unit 2 - Species is unaffected by Management 3 - Unit is of marginal importance to conservation of the species 4a - Knowledge of species' ecology is insufficient to support conservation strategy 4b - Species' taxonomy is too uncertain to develop conservation strategy 5 - Species is common and demonstrably secure on the Unit O - Other (describe in comments)

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 105 APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

APPENDIX F2. SPECIES GROUPS BY INDIVIDUAL SPECIES

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Climbing Occurrence Adlumia fungosa fumatory Protection Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, Species in a and/or Mixed Deciduous Cavity Trees, Special northern saw- Forest and/or Mixed Den Trees and Biologic Aegolius acadicus whet owl Associates Forests Snags Riparian Area

Alnus incana ssp. rugosa speckled alder Riparian Late Successional Hardwood Species in a Eastern tiger Dominated Special Ambystoma tigrinum salamander Forest Riparian Biologic Area

Ammodramus Henslow's Area Sensitive Occurrence henslowii sparrow Grasslands. Protection Fire Dependent Species in a Anaphalis pearly and Fire Special margaritacea everlasting Enhanced Grasslands Shrublands Biologic Area

American black Anas rubripes duck Riparian

Apochthonius A cave holsingeri pseudoscorpion Caves Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Forest Aquila chrysaetos golden eagle Associates

F - 106 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Spreading Arabis patens rockcress Shale barrens Fire Dependent Species in a shale barren and Fire Special Arabis serotina rockcress Enhanced Shale barrens Biologic Area

Cliff and Talus Fire Dependent Species in a bristly and large rock and Fire Special Aralia hispida sarsaparilla outcrops Enhanced Biologic Area Fire Dependent Arnoglossom great Indian- and Fire Occurrence muehlenbergii plantain Enhanced Grasslands Protection Riparian Ruderal

rough-leaved Aster radula aster Riparian

Astragalus distortus bent milkvetch Shale barrens

Golden-banded Autochton cellus skipper Lepidopterans Riparian

Fire Dependent upland Area Sensitive and Fire Occurrence Bartramia longicauda sandpiper Grasslands. Enhanced Protection

Cliff and Talus Fire Dependent Species in a mountain paper and large rock and Fire Special Betula cordifolia birch outcrops Enhanced Biologic Area

Species in a Silver-bordered Special Boloria selene fritillary Lepidopterans Riparian Biologic Area

Species in a no common Special Biologic Boltonia montana name Riparian Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 107

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Late Fire Successional Dependent Hard and Soft Hardwood Regenerating and Fire Mast Dominated Open Forests & Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse Enhanced Grasslands Dependent Forest Riparian Woodlands Shrublands fringed brome Bromus ciliatus grass Riparian Fire Dependent Species in a and Fire Special Bromus kalmii wild chess Enhanced Shale barrens Biologic Area Fire Dependent Buckleya and Fire Occurrence distichophylla Piratebush Enhanced Protection Fire Dependent and Fire Occurrence Open Callophrys irus Frosted elfin Enhanced Lepidopterans Protection Woodlands

Calopogon tuberosus Grass pink Riparian

Cliff and Talus Species in a Campanula American and large rock Special rotundifolia harebell Calciphiles outcrops Biologic Area Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Fire Dependent Caprimulgus chuck-will's Open and Fire Open Regenerating carolinensis widow Woodlands Enhanced Woodlands Forests Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Fire Dependent Caprimulgus Open and Fire Open Regenerating vociferus whip-poor-will Woodlands Enhanced Woodlands Forests

F - 108 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Special Biologic Carex aquatilis water sedge Riparian Area

Species in a Special Biologic Carex arctata black sedge Riparian Area

Species in a Special Biologic Carex barrattii Barratt's sedge Riparian Area

Species in a Buxbaum's Special Biologic Carex buxbaumii sedge Riparian Area

Species in a Carex lasiocarpa var. Special Biologic americana slender sedge Riparian Area Fire Dependent Species in a and Fire Occurrence Special Carex polymorpha variable sedge Enhanced Protection Biologic Area

Species in a Roan Mountain Occurrence Special Biologic Carex roanensis sedge Protection Area

Schweinitz's Carex schweinitzii sedge Riparian

Species in a Special Biologic Carex vesicaria Riparian Area High Elevation Openings, High Elevation grassy or Coniferous, shrubby or Deciduous Species in a Carpodacus open and/or Mixed Special purpureus purple finch woodlands Forests Biologic Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 109

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Special Biologic Castor canadensis Beaver Riparian Area

Area Sensitive Mature High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Openings, Deciduous, Coniferous, grassy or and/or Mixed Deciduous shrubby or Species in a Forest and/or Mixed open Special Catharus guttatus hermit thrush Associates Forests woodlands Biologic Area

Catocala herodias Herodias Occurrence Open gerhardi underwing Lepidopterans Protection Woodlands Marbled Occurrence Catocala marmorata underwing Lepidopterans Protection Riparian Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, Species in a and/or Mixed Deciduous Cavity Trees, Special Forest and/or Mixed Den Trees and Biologic Certhia americana brown creeper Associates Forests Snags Riparian Area

Cliff and Talus Species in a and large rock Special Cheilanthes eatonii chestnut lipfern outcrops Shale barrens Biologic Area

Cicindela ancocisconensis a tiger beetle Riparian

Sandstone Species in a Barrens tiger glades and Special Cicindela patruela beetle Ruderal barrens Biologic Area

Area Sensitive Occurrence Circus cyaneus northern harrier Grasslands. Protection

F - 110 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Special Biologic Cirsium altissimum tall thistle Ruderal Area

White-haired Clematis albicoma Leatherflower Shale barrens

Virginia white- haired Clematis coactilis leatherflower Shale barrens

Clematis occidentalis purple clematis Mafic rocks

Species in a Millboro Special Biologic Clematis viticaulis leatherflower Shale barrens Area

Species in a Special Biologic Clemmys guttata spotted turtle Riparian Area High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous Openings, grassy Coccyzus black-billed and/or Mixed or shrubby or erythropthalmus cuckoo Forests open woodlands Riparian

Species in a Pink-edged Special Colias interior sulphur Lepidopterans Riparian Biologic Area Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Fire Dependent northern Open and Fire Open Colinus virginianus bobwhite Woodlands Enhanced Grasslands Woodlands Shrublands High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Cavity Deciduous Openings, grassy Species in a Trees, Den olive-sided and/or Mixed or shrubby or Special Trees and Contopus borealis flycatcher Forests open woodlands Riparian Biologic Area Snags

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 111

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Bentley's Occurrence Corallorhiza bentleyi coalroot Protection High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a and/or Mixed Occurrence Special Cornus canadensis bunchberry Forests Protection Biologic Area

Species in a roundleaf Occurrence Special Biologic Cornus rugosa dogwood Protection Area Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, Corynorhinus and/or Mixed townsendii Virginia big- Forest Occurrence virginianus eared bat Associates Caves Protection

Crataegus Occurrence calpodendron pear hawthorn Protection Fire Dependent Species in a prunose and Fire Occurrence Special Crataegus pruinosa hawthorn Enhanced Protection Biologic Area Cliff and Talus Timber and large rock Sensitive to Crotalus horridus rattlesnake outcrops Over-Collection Cliff and Talus and large rock Occurrence Cuscuta coryli hazel dodder outcrops Protection High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Species in a open Occurrence Special Cuscuta rostrata beaked dodder woodlands Protection Biologic Area

toothed Cyperus dentatus flatsedge Riparian

F - 112 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a showy lady's- Occurrence Sensitive to Special Cypripedium reginae slipper Protection Riparian Over-Collection Biologic Area

Cliff and Talus Species in a and large rock Special Biologic Cystopteris fragilis fragile fern outcrops Area

Fire Dependent Delphinium and Fire Open exaltatum tall larkspur Calciphiles Enhanced Woodlands Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Late Deciduous, Successional and/or Mixed Hardwood Forest Dominated Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler Associates Forest Riparian Area Sensitive Grassland and Shrubland and Fire Dependent Open and Fire Regenerating Dendroica discolor prairie warbler Woodlands Enhanced Forests Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, and/or Mixed Deciduous Species in a blackburnian Forest and/or Mixed Special Dendroica fusca warbler Associates Forests Biologic Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a magnolia and/or Mixed Regenerating Special Dendroica magnolia warbler Forests Forests Biologic Area Riparian

Desmodium canadense showy tick-trefoil Riparian

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 113

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Desmodium toothed tick- Occurrence Special cuspidatum trefoil Calciphiles Protection Ruderal Biologic Area

Desmodium sessile-leaf tick- Open sessilifolium trefoil Woodlands Riparian

Fire Dependent Species in a smooth and Fire Open Special Echinacea laevigata coneflower Calciphiles Enhanced Woodlands Biologic Area

Species in a Special Biologic Echinodorus tenellus dwarf burhead Riparian Area Riparian

Eleocharis flat-stemmed compressa spikerush Riparian

Species in a Eleocharis black-fruited Special Biologic melanocarpa spikerush Riparian Area

Species in a Robbins Special Biologic Eleocharis robbinsii spikerush Riparian Area

Elymus canadensis nodding wild rye Riparian Fire Dependent Species in a slender and Fire Special Elymus trachycaulus wheatgrass Enhanced Shale barrens Biologic Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a and/or Mixed Special Empidonax alnorum alder flycatcher Forests Riparian Biologic Area Riparian Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, acadian Deciduous, Empidonax virescens flycatcher and/or Mixed Riparian

F - 114 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Forest Associates

Epilobium ciliatum Hair willow-herb Riparian

Species in a Epilobium linear-leaved Special Biologic leptophyllum willow-herb Riparian Area Species in a woodland Special Equisetum sylvaticum horsetail Biologic Area Riparian

Species in a Eriocaulon Special Biologic aquaticum white buttons Riparian Area

Yellow Eriogonum allenii Buckwheat Shale barrens

Occurrence Erora laeta Early hairstreak Lepidopterans Protection

Area Sensitive Species in a Shrubland and Fire Dependent Special Mottled Open and Fire Occurrence Biologic Erynnis martialis duskywing Woodlands Enhanced Lepidopterans Protection Area

Persius Erynnis persius duskywing Grasslands Lepidopterans Riparian Shrublands

Species in a western Open Special Erysimum capitatum wallflower Woodlands Shale barrens Biologic Area

Euchloe olympia Olympia marble Lepidopterans Open Woodlands Shale barrens

Occurrence Eumeces anthracinus coal skink Protection Open Woodlands Ruderal Shrublands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 115

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Eupatorium spotted joe-pye maculatum weed Riparian

Euphorbia purpurea glade spurge Calciphiles Riparian Cliff and Talus and large rock Occurrence Open Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon outcrops Protection Woodlands Fire Dependent Species in a Gaylussacia and Fire Occurrence Special brachycera box huckleberry Enhanced Protection Biologic Area Cliff and Talus Geranium and large rock robertianum herb-robert outcrops Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, and/or Mixed Deciduous Species in a Glaucomys sabrinus Virginia northern Forest and/or Mixed Special fuscus flying squirrel Associates Forests Riparian Biologic Area

sharp-scaled Glyceria acutiflora manna-grass Riparian

Species in a American Special Biologic Glyceria grandis manna-grass Riparian Area

Occurrence Glyphyalinia raderi Maryland glyph Calciphiles Protection Late Successional Hardwood Sensitive to Dominated Open Over- Glyptemys insculpta wood turtle Forest Riparian Woodlands Collection Shrublands Grasslands

F - 116 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Species in a Gnaphalium open Special uliginosum low cudweed woodlands Riparian Ruderal Biologic Area

dwarf rattlesnake Occurrence Goodyera repens plantain Protection Riparian High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a Gymnocarpium Appalachian oak and/or Mixed Occurrence Special appalachianum fern Forests Protection Biologic Area

Haliaeetus Occurrence leucocephalus bald eagle Protection Riparian

Hansonoperla Appalachian appalachia stonefly Riparian

Species in a Virginia Special Biologic Helenium virginicum sneezeweed Riparian Area

Cliff and Talus Sandstone Species in a Helianthemum and large rock glades and Special bicknellii plains frostweed outcrops Open Woodlands barrens Biologic Area

Helianthemum Open propinquum low frostweed Woodlands

Helicodiscus Occurrence diadema Shaggy coil Calciphiles Protection

Occurrence Helicodiscus triodus Talus coil Calciphiles Protection Species in a Special Helonias bullata swamp-pink Biologic Area Riparian

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 117

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a and/or Mixed Occurrence Special Heuchera alba white alumroot Forests Protection Biologic Area

Species in a Houstonia Alkaline glades Special canadensis Canada bluets and barrens Calciphiles Biologic Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Huperzia Appalachian fir and/or Mixed appalachiana clubmoss Forests Riparian

Maureen's shale Hydraena maureenae stream beetle Riparian

northern St. Hypericum boreale John's-wort Riparian High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous Openings, grassy Species in a Hypericum Blue Ridge St. and/or Mixed or shrubby or Occurrence Special mitchellianum John's-wort Forests open woodlands Protection Biologic Area

Kankakee globe- Iliamna remota mallow Riparian

Sandstone glades and Incisalia polia Hoary elfin Grasslands Lepidopterans barrens Shrublands

Species in a Special Biologic Isoetes lacustris lake quillwort Riparian Area

Isonychia tusculanensis a mayfly Riparian Occurrence Juglans cinerea butternut Protection

F - 118 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Species in a Juncus Special brachycephalus small-head rush Biologic Area Riparian Species in a narrow-panicled Special Juncus brevicaudatus rush Biologic Area Riparian High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Species in a Juniperus communis open Special Biologic var depressa ground juniper woodlands Area Calciphiles

Kleptochthonius A cave anophthalmus pseudoscorpion Caves

loggerhead Area Sensitive Lanius ludovicianus shrike Grasslands. Grasslands Shrublands High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous Openings, grassy Species in a and/or Mixed or shrubby or Regenerating Special Lepus americanus snowshoe hare Forests open woodlands Forests Biologic Area

Species in a Leucothoe highland dog- Occurrence Special fontanesiana hobble Cove forests Protection Biologic Area

Mitchell Leuctra mitchellensis needlefly Riparian

montane Leuctra monticola needlefly Riparian

shale -barren Liatris helleri blazing star Shale barrens

Cliff and Talus and large rock Open Linum lewisii prairie flax Calciphiles outcrops Woodlands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 119

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Cliff and Talus grooved yellow and large rock Open Linum sulcatum flax Calciphiles outcrops Woodlands Fire Dependent Smooth green and Fire Liochlorophis vernalis snake Enhanced High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Smooth green open Liochlorophis vernalis snake woodlands Open Woodlands Grasslands

Species in a Loesel's Special Biologic Liparis loeselii twayblade Riparian Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous American fly- and/or Mixed Lonicera canadensis honeysuckle Forests Riparian Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, and/or Mixed Deciduous Species in a Forest and/or Mixed Special Loxia curvirostra red crossbill Associates Forests Biologic Area

Lycopodiella northern bog inundata clubmoss Riparian

winged Lythrum alatum loosestrife Riparian

Maianthemum stary false stellatum Solomon's-seal Riparian

F - 120 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, and/or Mixed Deciduous Species in a Forest and/or Mixed Special Martes pennanti fisher Associates Forests Biologic Area

Shenandoah Megaleuctra flinti needlefly Riparian

Late Fire Successional Dependent Hard and Soft Hardwood and Fire Mast Dominated Open Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey Enhanced Grasslands Dependent Forest Woodlands Shrublands

Three-flowered Melica nitens melic grass Calciphiles Open Woodlands Shale barrens High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or open Melospiza georgiana swamp sparrow woodlands Riparian High Elevation Coniferous, Microtus Deciduous chrotorrhinus Southern rock and/or Mixed carolinensis vole Forests Riparian

Racovitza's Miktoniscus terrestrial cave racovitzai isopod Caves

Cliff and Talus Sensitive to Species in a Minuartia mountain and large rock Recreation Special groenlandica sandwort outcrops Traffic Biologic Area

Species in a Occurrence Special Biologic Monotropsis odorata sweet pinesap Protection Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 121

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Muhlenbergia Special Biologic glomerata marsh muhly Mafic rocks Area Riparian Mustela nivalis least weasel Grasslands Shrublands

Cliff and Talus eastern small- and large rock Occurrence Myotis leibii footed bat Caves outcrops Protection Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Deciduous, and/or Mixed Cavity Trees, Forest Den Trees and Occurrence Open Myotis sodalis Indiana bat Associates Caves Snags Protection Woodlands Riparian

Nampabius turbator Cave centipede Calciphiles Caves

Shenandoah Nannaria Mountain Occurrence shenandoah xystodesmid Protection

a limnephilid Nemotaulius hostilis caddisfly Riparian

Late Successional Cliff and Talus Hardwood Alleghany and large rock Dominated Neotoma magister woodrat Caves outcrops Forest

yellow-crowned Nyctanassa violacea night-heron Riparian

black-crowned Nycticorax nycticorax night-heron Riparian

F - 122 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Late Fire Successional Dependent Hard and Soft Hardwood Odocoileus and Fire Mast Dominated Open Regenerating virginianus white-tailed deer Enhanced Grasslands Dependent Forest Woodlands Forests Shrublands

Shale-barren evening Oenothera argillicola primrose Shale barrens

Species in a Special Oligoneuron rigidum stiff goldenrod Calciphiles Open Woodlands Biologic Area Fire Dependent Onosmodium Virginia false- and Fire virginianum gromwell Enhanced Open Woodlands Calciphiles High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Fire Deciduous Openings, grassy Dependent Oporornis mourning and/or Mixed or shrubby or Regenerating and Fire philadelphia warbler Forests open woodlands Forests Enhanced

Species in a white-grained Open Special Oryzopsis asperifolia mtn-ricegrass Woodlands Shrublands Biologic Area

Osmunda Species in a cinnamomea var. glandular Special glandulosa cinnamon fern Biologic Area Riparian

Sensitive to Panax quinquefolius Ginseng Cove forests Over-Collection

Sensitive to Panax trifolius Dwarf ginseng Cove forests Over-Collection

Species in a Special Biologic Panicum hemitomon maidencane Riparian Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 123

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name widecollar Paragnetina ishusa stonefly Riparian

Paraleptophlebia jeanae a mayfly Riparian

Large-leaved grass-of- Parnassia grandifolia parnassus Riparian

Paronychia argyrocoma Silver Nail-wort Shale barrens

Cliff and Talus and large rock Paronychia virginica yellow nailwort Calciphiles outcrops Shale barrens

Cliff and Talus Canby's and large rock Paxistima canbyi mountain lover Calciphiles outcrops

Peltigera hydrothyria Waterfan Riparian

Blue Ridge Perlesta frisoni stonefly Riparian

Occurrence Phlox amplifolia Broadleaf phlox Calciphiles Protection Fire Dependent Species in a sword-leaved and Fire Occurrence Special Phlox buckleyi phlox Enhanced Protection Ruderal Biologic Area

Occurrence Phyciodes batesii Tawny crescent Lepidopterans Protection

Northern Phyciodes cocyta crescent Lepidopterans Fire Dependent Pituophis northern and Fire Occurrence Open melanoleucus pinesnake Enhanced Protection Woodlands

F - 124 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Platanthera large purple Sensitive to Special grandiflora fringed orchid Riparian Over-Collection Biologic Area

Platanthera purple fringeless Sensitive to peramoena orchid Riparian Over-Collection Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Late Deciduous, Coniferous, Successional Cliff and and/or Mixed Deciduous Hardwood Species in a Talus and Cow Knob Forest and/or Mixed Dominated Special large rock Plethodon punctatus salamander Associates Forests Forest Biologic Area outcrops

Species in a Big levels Open Special Biologic Plethodon sherando salamander Woodlands Area Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Late Deciduous, Coniferous, Successional Cliff and and/or Mixed Deciduous Hardwood Species in a Talus and Shenandoah Mt. Forest and/or Mixed Dominated Special large rock Plethodon virginia salamander Associates Forests Forest Biologic Area outcrops Poa paludigena bog bluegrass Riparian

Species in a Special Biologic Poa palustris fowl bluegrass Riparian Area

Species in a drooping Special Poa saltuensis bluegrass Mafic rocks Open Woodlands Biologic Area

common Polanisia dodecandra clammy-weed Riparian

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 125

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Open Special Polygonia progne Gray comma Grasslands Lepidopterans Riparian Woodlands Ruderal Shrublands Biologic Area Potamogeton amplifolius Riparian

Potamogeton hillii Hill's pondweed Riparian

Species in a Potamogeton Oakes Special Biologic oakesianus pondweed Riparian Area

Potamogeton Tennessee tennesseensis pondweed Riparian

Species in a Special Biologic Potentilla arguta tall cinquefoil Mafic rocks Area Fire Dependent Prunus and Fire alleghaniensis Alleghany sloe Enhanced Open Woodlands Shale barrens Prunus nigra Canada plum Ruderal Shrublands

Pseudanophthalmus Avernus cave avernus beetle Calciphiles Caves

Pseudanophthalmus Crossroads cave intersectus beetle Calciphiles Caves

Pseudanophthalmus Nelson's cave nelsoni beetle Calciphiles Caves

Pseudanophthalmus Petrunkevitch's petrunkevitchi cave beetle Calciphiles Caves

Pseudognaphalium macounii Winged cudweed Caves

F - 126 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

South Branch Pseudotremia Valley cave princeps millipede Calciphiles Caves

Pycnanthemum Torrey's Open torreyi mountain-mint Calciphiles Mafic rocks Woodlands

Pygmarrhopalites carolynae Cave springtail Calciphiles Caves

Pygmarrhopalites sacer Cave springtail Calciphiles Caves

Pygmarrhopalites Occurrence caedus A cave springtail Caves Protection

Fire Dependent Sensitive to Species in a Appalachian and Fire Open Over- Shale Special Pyrgus wyandot grizzled skipper Enhanced Lepidopterans Woodlands Collection barrens Biologic Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a and/or Mixed Occurrence Special Pyrola elliptica shinleaf Forests Protection Biologic Area High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a golden-crowned and/or Mixed Special Biologic Regulus satrapa kinglet Forests Area Species in a wild black Special Ribes americanum currant Biologic Area Riparian

Rosa setigera prairie rose Calciphiles Open Woodlands Shale barrens High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Species in a Rubus idaeus ssp. American red open Special Biologic strigosus raspberry woodlands Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 127

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Fire Dependent Pursh's wild Alkaline glades and Fire Ruellia purshiana petunia and barrens Calciphiles Enhanced Mafic rocks Species in a slender marsh Special Sabatia campanulata rose-pink Biologic Area Riparian

Species in a Sagittaria calycina long-lobed Special var calycina arrowhead Biologic Area Riparian

sessile-fruited Sagittaria rigida arrowhead Riparian

Satyrium favonius Northern Occurrence Open ontario Hairstreak Lepidopterans Protection Woodlands

Saxifraga pensylvanica swamp saxifrage Riparian High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a Schizachne and/or Mixed Special Biologic purpurascens purple oat-grass Forests Area Riparian

Species in a Schoenoplectus Special Biologic subterminalis water bulrush Riparian Area

Species in a Scirpus northeastern Special Biologic ancistrochaetus bulrush Riparian Area Scirpus torreyi Riparian Late Successional Hardwood Cavity Trees, Dominated Hard and Soft Den Trees and Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel Forest Mast Dependent Snags Riparian

F - 128 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Area Sensitive Grassland and Fire Shrubland and Cavity Trees, Dependent Hard and Soft Eastern fox Open Den Trees and and Fire Mast Sciurus niger squirrel Woodlands Snags Enhanced Dependent

American Scolopax minor woodcock Grasslands Riparian

Cliff and Talus Scutellaria parvula and large rock Open var. parvula small skullcap Calciphiles outcrops Woodlands Cliff and Talus and large rock Scutellaria saxatilis Rock skullcap outcrops Open Woodlands Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous, Coniferous, and/or Mixed Deciduous Species in a Seiurus northern Forest and/or Mixed Special noveboracensis waterthrush Associates Forests Biologic Area Riparian Late Successional Hardwood Dominated Occurrence Semionellus placidus Millipede Forest Protection

Cliff and Talus Sensitive to Species in a Sibbaldiopsis three-toothed and large rock Recreation Special tridentata cinquefoil outcrops Traffic Biologic Area

Sida hermaphrodita Virginia mallow Riparian

High Elevation Coniferous, Cavity Trees, Deciduous Species in a red-breasted Den Trees and and/or Mixed Special Sitta canadensis nuthatch Snags Forests Biologic Area

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 129

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name Solidago arguta var. Shale Barren harrisii Goldenrod Shale barrens

Species in a Solidago randii = S. Rand's Special simplex var. randii goldenrod Biologic Area Mafic rocks Species in a riverbank Special Solidago rupestris goldenrod Biologic Area Riparian Species in a Special Solidago uliginosa bog goldenrod Biologic Area Riparian High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a Sorex palustris southern water and/or Mixed Special punctulatus shrew Forests Riparian Biologic Area

Sparganium Species in a chlorocarpum = S. narrow-leaf Special emersum burreed Biologic Area Riparian

freshwater Spartina pectinata cordgrass Riparian

Species in a Special Biologic Speyeria atlantis Atlantis fritillary Lepidopterans Area Riparian

Sensitive to Speyeria diana Diana fritillary Lepidopterans Open Woodlands Over-Collection

Area Sensitive Sensitive to Speyeria idalia Regal fritillary Grasslands. Lepidopterans Over-Collection Species in a Russow's Special Sphagnum russowii peatmoss Biologic Area Riparian

F - 130 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous Openings, grassy Cavity Trees, yellow-bellied and/or Mixed or shrubby or Den Trees Sphyrapicus varius sapsucker Forests open woodlands Riparian and Snags Late Successional Hardwood Cliff and Talus Dominated and large rock Spilogale putorius Spotted Skunk Forest Shrublands outcrops

shining ladies'- Spiranthes lucida tresses Riparian

Species in a Spiranthes yellow nodding Special ochroleuca ladies'-tresses Riparian Open Woodlands Biologic Area Cliff and Talus and large rock Sporobolus neglectus small dropseed outcrops Shale barrens Calciphiles

Shenandoah Stygobromus Valley cave gracilipes amphipod Calciphiles Caves

Stygobromus Alleghany County hoffmani cave amphipod Calciphiles Caves

Stygobromus Morrison's cave morrisoni amphipod Calciphiles Caves

Bath County Stygobromus mundus cave amphipod Calciphiles Caves

Sherando spinosid Stygobromus sp. 7 amphipod Calciphiles Caves

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 131

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Massanutten Stygobromus sp. nov. Spring Amphipod Calciphiles Caves High Elevation Coniferous, High Elevation Deciduous Openings, grassy Appalachian and/or Mixed or shrubby or Sylvilagus obscurus Cottontail Forests open woodlands

Appalachian Sylvilagus obscurus Cottontail Riparian

Cliff and Talus Species in a Symphoricarpos and large rock Special albus snowberry Calciphiles outcrops Biologic Area

Virginia mountain Taenidia montana pimpernel Shale barrens High Elevation Openings, grassy or shrubby or Cavity Trees, Thryomanes bewickii Appalachian open Den Trees and altus Bewick's wren woodlands Snags Grasslands Shrublands

Cliff and Talus Species in a Northern white and large rock Special Biologic Thuja occidentalis cedar outcrops Area Calciphiles

Species in a Fraser's marsh Special Biologic Triadenum fraseri St. John's-wort Riparian Area

Species in a coastal false- Special Biologic Triantha racemosa asphodel Riparian Area

Species in a Trichostema narrow-leaved Open Special setaceum blue curls Woodlands Shale barrens Biologic Area

F - 132 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Species in a Kate's mountain Special Trifolium virginicum clover Biologic Area Shale barrens High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a Trillium pusillum var. mountain least and/or Mixed Special Biologic virginianum trillium Forests Area

Spruce Knob Occurrence Triodopsis picea threetooth Protection Species in a Triphora Special Occurrence trianthophora nodding pogonia Biologic Area Protection High Elevation Coniferous, Deciduous Species in a Cavity Trees, Troglodytes and/or Mixed Special Biologic Den Trees troglodytes winter wren Forests Area Riparian and Snags

Cavity Trees, Area Sensitive Den Trees and Tyto alba barn owl Grasslands. Snags Grasslands Area Sensitive Mature Coniferous, Late Deciduous, Successional and/or Mixed Hardwood Cavity Trees, Hard and Regenerating Forest Dominated Den Trees and Soft Mast Open Forests & Ursus americanus black bear Associates Forest Snags Grasslands Dependent Woodlands Shrublands Species in a Vaccinium Special macrocarpon large cranberry Biologic Area Riparian

sandpaper Verbena scabra vervain Riparian Area Sensitive Grassland and High Elevation Fire Shrubland and Openings, grassy Dependent Vermivora golden winged Open or shrubby or and Fire Open chrysoptera warbler Woodlands open woodlands Enhanced Grasslands Riparian Woodlands Shrublands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 133

APPENDIX F2 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Species Scientific Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Group Species Species Name Common Name Name Name Name Group Name Name Group Name Group Name

Veronica scutellata marsh speedwell Riparian

Viburnum lentago nannyberry Riparian

American purple Vicia americana vetch Riparian Ruderal Species in a Special Viola pedatifida prairie violet Biologic Area Shale barrens

Virginia valeriae mountain earth pulchra snake Grasslands Open Woodlands Shrublands Species in a Special Vitis rupestris sand grape Biologic Area Riparian Species in a Virginia Special Woodwardia virginica chainfern Biologic Area Riparian

Zigadenus elegans Cliff and Talus ssp. glaucus = and large rock Anticlea glauca white camas outcrops Open Woodlands Calciphiles

Grand Caverns Zygonopus blind cave weyeriensis millipede Calciphiles Caves

Luray Caverns blind cave Zygonopus whitei millipede Calciphiles Caves

F - 134 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

APPENDIX F3. SPECIES STRESSES AND THREATS AND FOREST PLAN STRATEGIES

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Adlumia fungosa 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown 1 Terrestrial 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species Aegolius acadicus System/Habitat Stresses species Control Guidelines Continue air resource management activities to 1 Terrestrial reduce impacts of acid Aegolius acadicus System/Habitat Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish management strategy 1.3.1 Limited existing for climate change incl land distribution of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Aegolius acadicus system/habitat Weather conditions 1.3.1 Limited existing distribution of 11 Climate Change and Utilize Jefferson riparian Aegolius acadicus system/habitat Weather standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Aegolius acadicus Stresses Weather conditions 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 11 Climate Change and Utilize Jefferson riparian Aegolius acadicus Stresses Weather standards 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7.33 Lack of disturbance; Utilize Jefferson riparian Aegolius acadicus Stresses succession standards Alnus incana ssp. 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 8.1 Non-native invasive Utilize Jefferson riparian rugosa system modification species standards Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Ambystoma tigrinum vegetation systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Ammodramus 1.1 Conversion and 7 Modification of natural Establish objective for henslowii fragmentation systems grasslands of various sizes Ammodramus 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7.33 Lack of disturbance; Utilize Jefferson riparian henslowii Stresses succession standards Establish fire objective of Anaphalis 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per margaritacea vegetation structure suppression year Apochthonius holsingeri 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 1.1 Conversion and Aquila chrysaetos fragmentation A Highly modified land uses Aquila chrysaetos 3.1.1 Accidental mortality A Highly modified land uses 5.1.1 Hunting and/or poaching of terrestrial Enforce laws on off road use, Aquila chrysaetos 3.1.2 Persecution mortality animals illegal hunting Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Arabis patens vegetation structure succession year

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 135

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.2 Modification of 8.1 Non-native invasive annual harvest of 1,800 - Arabis patens vegetation composition species 3,000 acres 1.3 Limited distribution of 8.2 Problematic native Arabis patens the system/habitat species 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Arabis serotina vegetation structure suppression Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Arabis serotina vegetation structure succession year 8.2 Problematic native Arabis serotina 3.3.2 Predation species Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Aralia hispida vegetation structure succession year Establish fire objective of Arnoglossom 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per muehlenbergii vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Aster radula system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Astragalus distortus vegetation structure suppression year 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Autochton cellus System/Habitat Stresses systems guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Autochton cellus 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of 1.1 Conversion and 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Bartramia longicauda fragmentation succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.1 Conversion and 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Bartramia longicauda fragmentation succession 3,000 acres Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Bartramia longicauda vegetation suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Betula cordifolia vegetation structure suppression year 1.1 Conversion and 7.33 Lack of disturbance; Establish desired condition for Boloria selene fragmentation succession riparian areas 1.1 Conversion and Establish desired condition for Boloria selene fragmentation 7.34 Loss of beaver activity riparian areas 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Boloria selene 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Boltonia montana system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Bonasa umbellus vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Bonasa umbellus vegetation structure succession year

F - 136 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Bonasa umbellus vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Bromus ciliatus system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Bromus kalmii vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of Buckleya 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per distichophylla vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Callophrys irus System/Habitat Stresses succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Callophrys irus System/Habitat Stresses succession 3,000 acres Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Callophrys irus vegetation suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Callophrys irus vegetation composition systems year 1.2.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Callophrys irus vegetation composition systems guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Callophrys irus 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Calopogon tuberosus system modification systems standards Protect and maintain occurrences of rare Campanula 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in rotundifolia the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish fire objective of Caprimulgus 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per carolinensis vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of Caprimulgus 1.2.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per carolinensis vegetation composition succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, Caprimulgus 1.2.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - carolinensis vegetation composition succession 3,000 acres Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Caprimulgus vociferus vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Caprimulgus vociferus vegetation composition succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Caprimulgus vociferus vegetation composition succession 3,000 acres 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Carex aquatilis system modification systems standards

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 137

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Carex arctata 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Carex barrattii system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Carex buxbaumii system modification systems standards Carex lasiocarpa var. 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian americana system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Carex polymorpha vegetation suppression year 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Carex polymorpha vegetation structure suppression 1.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Carex roanensis vegetation systems occurrence 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Carex schweinitzii system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Carex vesicaria system modification systems standards Continue air resource management activities to 1.2.2 Modification of reduce impacts of acid Carpodacus purpureus vegetation composition 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish management strategy 1.3.1 Limited existing for climate change incl land distribution of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Carpodacus purpureus system/habitat Weather conditions 1.3.1 Limited existing Establish fire objective of distribution of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Carpodacus purpureus system/habitat succession year Utilize timber harvest to create 1.3.1 Limited existing early successional habitat, distribution of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Carpodacus purpureus system/habitat succession 3,000 acres 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7.33 Lack of disturbance; Utilize Jefferson riparian Carpodacus purpureus system modification succession standards 1.3.1 Limited existing 5.1.1 Hunting and/or distribution of poaching of terrestrial Establish desired condition for Castor canadensis system/habitat animals riparian areas 6 Human intrusions and Establish desired condition for Castor canadensis 3.1.2 Persecution mortality disturbance riparian areas Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Catharus guttatus vegetation Weather conditions Catocala herodias 1 Terrestrial 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran gerhardi System/Habitat Stresses suppression guidelines Catocala herodias 1 Terrestrial 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Lepidopteran gerhardi System/Habitat Stresses species guidelines Catocala marmorata 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Continue air resource management activities to 1 Terrestrial reduce impacts of acid Certhia americana System/Habitat Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition

F - 138 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.3 Limited distribution of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Certhia americana the system/habitat Weather conditions Establish fire objective of 1.3 Limited distribution of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Certhia americana the system/habitat succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.3 Limited distribution of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Certhia americana the system/habitat succession 3,000 acres 2 Aquatic System/Habitat Utilize Jefferson riparian Certhia americana Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition standards Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1 Terrestrial 6 Human intrusions and communities in SBAs in Cheilanthes eatonii System/Habitat Stresses disturbance addition to those in 1993 Plan Cicindela 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7.2 Dams and water Utilize Jefferson riparian ancocisconensis Stresses management standards Cicindela 2 Aquatic System/Habitat Enforce laws on off road use, ancocisconensis Stresses 7.32 Off Road Vehicles illegal hunting Cicindela 2 Aquatic System/Habitat ancocisconensis Stresses A.3.2 Mining and quarrying Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1 Terrestrial 6 Human intrusions and communities in SBAs in Cicindela patruela System/Habitat Stresses disturbance addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish fire objective of 1 Terrestrial 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Cicindela patruela System/Habitat Stresses suppression year 1 Terrestrial Enforce laws on off road use, Cicindela patruela System/Habitat Stresses 7.32 Off Road Vehicles illegal hunting Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Cirsium altissimum vegetation structure suppression year 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; Clematis albicoma vegetation succession Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Clematis occidentalis the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Clematis occidentalis the system/habitat systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Clematis viticaulis vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Clemmys guttata system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Coccyzus 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired erythropthalmus vegetation Weather conditions 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Colias interior System/Habitat Stresses systems guidelines

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 139

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Colias interior 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Contopus borealis vegetation Weather conditions Corallorhiza bentleyi 0.2 Lack of knowledge 0 None or Unknown Corallorhiza bentleyi 0.2 Lack of knowledge 0.2 Unknown 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Cornus canadensis System/Habitat Stresses systems occurrence Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Cornus canadensis vegetation Weather conditions Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Cornus rugosa the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Corynorhinus 3.2 Disrupted 6 Human intrusions and Establish guidelines for caves townsendii virginianus activity/energy budgets disturbance and karstlands Corynorhinus 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish guidelines for caves townsendii virginianus 3.3.5 Disease species and karstlands Crataegus 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species calpodendron 3.5 Limited population size systems occurrence Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Crataegus pruinosa vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Crotalus horridus vegetation structure suppression year 5.1.1 Hunting and/or poaching of terrestrial Enforce laws on off road use, Crotalus horridus 3.1.2 Persecution mortality animals illegal hunting Cuscuta coryli 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Cuscuta rostrata 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Cyperus dentatus system modification systems standards 1.2.1 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Cypripedium reginae vegetation structure systems occurrence Establish guidelines for Cypripedium reginae 3.1.2 Persecution mortality 5.2 Collection of plants overcollection 8.2 Problematic native Cypripedium reginae 3.3.2 Predation species Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Cystopteris fragilis the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Delphinium exaltatum vegetation structure suppression year

F - 140 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Dendroica fusca vegetation Weather conditions Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Dendroica magnolia vegetation Weather conditions Desmodium canadense 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Desmodium cuspidatum 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Desmodium sessilifolium 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Echinacea laevigata vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Echinodorus tenellus system modification systems standards Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Eleocharis compressa the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Eleocharis 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian melanocarpa system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Eleocharis robbinsii system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Elymus canadensis system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Elymus trachycaulus vegetation structure suppression year Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Empidonax alnorum vegetation Weather conditions 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Epilobium ciliatum Stresses systems standards Epilobium 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian leptophyllum system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Equisetum sylvaticum system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Eriocaulon aquaticum system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Eriogonum allenii vegetation structure succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Eriogonum allenii vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres 1.2.2 Modification of 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species Eriogonum allenii vegetation composition species Control Guidelines

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 141

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 1 Terrestrial 8 Invasive & problematic Establish Lepidopteran Erora laeta System/Habitat Stresses species guidelines 1.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Erora laeta vegetation systems occurrence 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Erora laeta 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection 1 Terrestrial 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran Erynnis martialis System/Habitat Stresses suppression guidelines 1 Terrestrial 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Lepidopteran Erynnis martialis System/Habitat Stresses species guidelines Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Erynnis martialis vegetation succession year Utilze timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Erynnis martialis vegetation succession 3,000 acres 1.2 Modification of 8.2 Problematic native Erynnis martialis vegetation species 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Erynnis martialis 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Erynnis persius System/Habitat Stresses succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Erynnis persius System/Habitat Stresses succession 3,000 acres 1.1 Conversion and 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Lepidopteran Erynnis persius fragmentation species guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Erynnis persius 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Erysimum capitatum vegetation structure suppression year 1 Terrestrial Establish Lepidopteran Euchloe olympia System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses guidelines 3 Species Population 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Lepidopteran Euchloe olympia Stresses species guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Euchloe olympia 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Eumeces anthracinus vegetation structure suppression year Eupatorium 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian maculatum system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Euphorbia purpurea system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of Gaylussacia 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per brachycera vegetation suppression year Gaylussacia 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire brachycera vegetation structure suppression 1.3 Limited distribution of Establish guidelines for cliff and Geranium robertianum the system/habitat 5.3 Timber harvest talus and shale barren areas

F - 142 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Glaucomys sabrinus 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired fuscus vegetation Weather conditions 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Glyceria acutiflora system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Glyceria grandis system modification systems standards 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for species Glyphyalinia raderi System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses occurrence 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish guidelines for species Glyphyalinia raderi vegetation suppression occurrence Continue air resource management activities to 3 Species Population reduce impacts of acid Glyphyalinia raderi Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish guidelines for species Glyphyalinia raderi 3.1.1 Accidental mortality 6.1 Recreational activities occurrence 3.3 Interspecific 8.1 Non-native invasive Glyphyalinia raderi interactions species Establish management strategy 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural for managing wood turtle Glyptemys insculpta Stresses systems habitat 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Glyptemys insculpta system modification systems 5.1.1 Hunting and/or poaching of terrestrial Enforce laws on off road use, Glyptemys insculpta 3.1.2 Persecution mortality animals illegal hunting 5.1.1 Hunting and/or poaching of terrestrial Establish guidelines for Glyptemys insculpta 3.1.2 Persecution mortality animals overcollection Gnaphalium 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian uliginosum system modification systems standards 1.2 Modification of Establish guidelines for species Goodyera repens vegetation 5.3 Timber harvest occurrence Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Gymnocarpium 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired appalachianum vegetation Weather conditions Gymnocarpium 1.2 Modification of Establish guidelines for species appalachianum vegetation 5.3 Timber harvest occurrence Hansonoperla 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian appalachia Stresses systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Helenium virginicum vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Helenium virginicum system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of Helianthemum 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per bicknellii vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of Helianthemum 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per propinquum vegetation structure suppression year

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 143

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 1 Terrestrial Enforce laws on off road use, Helicodiscus diadema System/Habitat Stresses 7.32 Off Road Vehicles illegal hunting 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus diadema System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses occurrence 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus diadema vegetation suppression occurrence Continue air resource management activities to 3 Species Population reduce impacts of acid Helicodiscus diadema Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus diadema 3.1.1 Accidental mortality 6.1 Recreational activities occurrence 3.3 Interspecific 8.1 Non-native invasive Helicodiscus diadema interactions species 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus triodus System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses occurrence 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus triodus vegetation suppression occurrence Continue air resource management activities to 3 Species Population reduce impacts of acid Helicodiscus triodus Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish guidelines for species Helicodiscus triodus 3.1.1 Accidental mortality 6.1 Recreational activities occurrence 3.3 Interspecific 8.1 Non-native invasive Helicodiscus triodus interactions species 1.3.2 Limited potential distribution of 7 Modification of natural Helonias bullata system/habitat systems 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Helonias bullata system modification systems standards 8.2 Problematic native Helonias bullata 3.3.2 Predation species Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Heuchera alba vegetation Weather conditions 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Heuchera alba 3.5 Limited population size systems occurrence Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Houstonia canadensis the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Huperzia 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired appalachiana vegetation Weather conditions Huperzia 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian appalachiana the system/habitat systems standards 2 Aquatic System/Habitat Utilize Jefferson riparian Hydraena maureenae Stresses 11.2 Droughts standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Hypericum boreale system modification systems standards

F - 144 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Hypericum 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired mitchellianum vegetation Weather conditions Hypericum 1.2 Modification of Establish guidelines for species mitchellianum vegetation 5.3 Timber harvest occurrence 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Iliamna remota system modification systems standards 1.2.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Incisalia polia vegetation composition systems guidelines 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Isoetes lacustris system modification systems standards Isonychia tusculanensis 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Isonychia 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian tusculanensis system modification systems standards 8 Invasive & problematic Juglans cinerea 3.3.5 Disease species Juncus 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian brachycephalus system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Juncus brevicaudatus system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of Juniperus communis 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per var depressa vegetation structure suppression year Kleptochthonius 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves anophthalmus System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses and karstlands Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Lepus americanus vegetation Weather conditions Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Lepus americanus vegetation succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Lepus americanus vegetation succession 3,000 acres Protect and maintain occurrences of rare Leucothoe 1.3 Limited distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in fontanesiana the system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Leuctra mitchellensis 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Leuctra mitchellensis system modification systems standards Leuctra monticola 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Leuctra monticola system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Liatris helleri vegetation structure suppression year

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 145

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 1.3.2 Limited potential distribution of 7 Modification of natural Linum lewisii system/habitat systems Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Linum sulcatum vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Liochlorophis vernalis vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Liparis loeselii system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Lonicera canadensis vegetation Weather conditions 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Lonicera canadensis Stresses systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Loxia curvirostra vegetation Weather conditions 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Lycopodiella inundata system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Lythrum alatum system modification systems standards Maianthemum 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian stellatum system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Martes pennanti vegetation Weather conditions 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Megaleuctra flinti Stresses systems standards 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7.2 Dams and water Utilize Jefferson riparian Megaleuctra flinti Stresses management standards 2.3 Water temperature Utilize Jefferson riparian Megaleuctra flinti modification 11.3 Temperature extremes standards 2.4 Water chemistry Utilize Jefferson riparian Megaleuctra flinti modification 9.5.1 Acid deposition standards 1.3.2 Limited potential distribution of 7 Modification of natural Melica nitens system/habitat systems Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Microtus chrotorrhinus 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired carolinensis vegetation Weather conditions 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Miktoniscus racovitzai System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses and karstlands Minuartia Establish guidelines for groenlandica 3.1.1 Accidental mortality 6.1 Recreational activities recreation traffic Monotropsis odorata 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown Muhlenbergia 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian glomerata system modification systems standards

F - 146 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 1.3 Limited distribution of Myotis sodalis the system/habitat 0.1 None 3.2 Disrupted 6 Human intrusions and Establish guidelines for caves Myotis sodalis activity/energy budgets disturbance and karstlands 8 Invasive & problematic Establish guidelines for caves Myotis sodalis 3.3.5 Disease species and karstlands 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Nampabius turbator System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Nannaria shenandoah 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for species Nannaria shenandoah System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses occurrence Nemotaulius hostilis 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Nemotaulius hostilis system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Oenothera argillicola vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Oligoneuron rigidum vegetation structure suppression year 1.3.2 Limited potential Establish fire objective of Onosmodium distribution of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per virginianum system/habitat suppression year Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Oporornis philadelphia vegetation Weather conditions Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Oryzopsis asperifolia vegetation structure suppression year Osmunda cinnamomea var. 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian glandulosa system modification systems standards Panax quinquefolius 3.1 Direct mortality 5.2 Collection of plants Establish guidelines for Panax quinquefolius 3.1.2 Persecution mortality 5.2 Collection of plants overcollection Establish guidelines for Panax trifolius 3.1.2 Persecution mortality 5.2 Collection of plants overcollection 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Panicum hemitomon system modification systems standards Paragnetina ishusa 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Paragnetina ishusa system modification systems standards Paraleptophlebia jeanae 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Paraleptophlebia 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian jeanae system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Parnassia grandifolia system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of Paronychia 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per argyrocoma vegetation structure succession year

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 147

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, Paronychia 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - argyrocoma vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres Paronychia 1.2.2 Modification of 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species argyrocoma vegetation composition species Control Guidelines 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Paronychia virginica vegetation structure suppression 1.3.2 Limited potential Establish fire objective of distribution of 7 Modification of natural 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Paronychia virginica system/habitat systems year 1.3.2 Limited potential distribution of 7 Modification of natural Paxistima canbyi system/habitat systems Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Peltigera hydrothyria Stresses Weather conditions 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 11 Climate Change and Utilize Jefferson riparian Peltigera hydrothyria Stresses Weather standards 2.1 Stream flow 7.2 Dams and water Utilize Jefferson riparian Peltigera hydrothyria modification management standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Peltigera hydrothyria system modification systems Peltigera hydrothyria 3.5 Limited population size 0.2 Unknown Perlesta frisoni 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Phlox amplifolia 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Phlox buckleyi vegetation structure suppression year 1.2.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Phyciodes batesii vegetation composition systems guidelines 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Phyciodes cocyta System/Habitat Stresses systems guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Phyciodes cocyta 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of Pituophis 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per melanoleucus vegetation structure suppression year Platanthera 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian grandiflora system modification systems standards Platanthera 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian peramoena system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Plethodon punctatus vegetation Weather conditions Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.2.1 Modification of communities in SBAs in Plethodon punctatus vegetation structure 5.3 Timber harvest addition to those in 1993 Plan 1.2.1 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Plethodon punctatus vegetation structure systems

F - 148 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Plethodon sherando 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.2.1 Modification of communities in SBAs in Plethodon sherando vegetation structure 5.3 Timber harvest addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Plethodon virginia vegetation Weather conditions Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.2.1 Modification of communities in SBAs in Plethodon virginia vegetation structure 5.3 Timber harvest addition to those in 1993 Plan 1.2.1 Modification of 7 Modification of natural Plethodon virginia vegetation structure systems 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Poa paludigena system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Poa palustris system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Poa saltuensis vegetation structure suppression year 2.1 Stream flow 7.2 Dams and water Utilize Jefferson riparian Polanisia dodecandra modification management standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Polanisia dodecandra system modification systems standards 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish objective for Polygonia progne System/Habitat Stresses systems grasslands of various sizes 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish objective for oak open Polygonia progne System/Habitat Stresses systems woodlands 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Polygonia progne 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Potamogeton 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian amplifolius system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Potamogeton hillii system modification systems standards Potamogeton 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian oakesianus system modification systems standards Potamogeton 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian tennesseensis system modification systems standards Protect and maintain occurrences of rare 1.2.1 Modification of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Potentilla arguta vegetation structure systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Prunus alleghaniensis vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Prunus nigra vegetation structure suppression year Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves avernus System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 149

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves avernus System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves intersectus System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves intersectus System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves nelsoni System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves nelsoni System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves petrunkevitchi System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Pseudanophthalmus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves petrunkevitchi System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Establish fire objective of Pseudognaphalium 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per macounii vegetation structure suppression year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, Pseudognaphalium 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - macounii 3.3.1 Competition succession 3,000 acres Pseudotremia princeps 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Pseudotremia 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves princeps System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Pseudotremia 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves princeps System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Pycnanthemum torreyi vegetation structure suppression year Pygmarrhopalites carolynae 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Pygmarrhopalites sacer 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Pygmarrhopalites caedus 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Establish fire objective of 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Pyrgus wyandot System/Habitat Stresses succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1 Terrestrial 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Pyrgus wyandot System/Habitat Stresses succession 3,000 acres Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Pyrgus wyandot vegetation structure succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Pyrgus wyandot vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres Establish fire objective of 1.2.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Pyrgus wyandot vegetation composition suppression year 1.2.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran Pyrgus wyandot vegetation composition suppression guidelines

F - 150 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Protect and maintain 1.3.1 Limited existing occurrences of rare distribution of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in Pyrgus wyandot system/habitat systems addition to those in 1993 Plan 3 Species Population 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Lepidopteran Pyrgus wyandot Stresses species guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Pyrgus wyandot 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Pyrola elliptica vegetation Weather conditions 1.2 Modification of Pyrola elliptica vegetation 5.3 Timber harvest 1.3.1 Limited existing distribution of Pyrola elliptica system/habitat 0 None or Unknown Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Regulus satrapa vegetation Weather conditions 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Ribes americanum system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Rosa setigera vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of Rubus idaeus ssp. 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per strigosus vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Ruellia purshiana vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Sabatia campanulata system modification systems standards Sagittaria calycina var 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian calycina system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Sagittaria rigida system modification systems standards Satyrium favonius 1 Terrestrial 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species ontario System/Habitat Stresses species Control Guidelines Satyrium favonius 1.2.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran ontario vegetation composition suppression guidelines Satyrium favonius 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for ontario 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Satyrium favonius ontario 3.5 Limited population size 0.2 Unknown Saxifraga 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian pensylvanica system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Schizachne 1 Terrestrial 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired purpurascens System/Habitat Stresses Weather conditions

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 151

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Protect and maintain occurrences of rare Schizachne 1.2 Modification of 7 Modification of natural communities in SBAs in purpurascens vegetation systems addition to those in 1993 Plan Schoenoplectus 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian subterminalis system modification systems standards Scirpus 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian ancistrochaetus system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Scirpus torreyi system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of Scutellaria parvula 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per var. parvula vegetation structure suppression year Scutellaria saxatilis 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Seiurus 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired noveboracensis vegetation Weather conditions 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for species Semionellus placidus System/Habitat Stresses systems occurrence Sibbaldiopsis 6 Human intrusions and Establish guidelines for tridentata 3.1.1 Accidental mortality disturbance recreation traffic 2.1 Stream flow 7.2 Dams and water Utilize Jefferson riparian Sida hermaphrodita modification management standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Sida hermaphrodita system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Sitta canadensis vegetation Weather conditions Establish fire objective of Solidago arguta var. 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per harrisii vegetation structure succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, Solidago arguta var. 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - harrisii vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres Solidago arguta var. 1.2.2 Modification of 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species harrisii vegetation composition species Control Guidelines Establish fire objective of Solidago randii = S. 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per simplex var. randii vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Solidago rupestris system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Solidago uliginosa system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Sorex palustris 1 Terrestrial 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired punctulatus System/Habitat Stresses Weather conditions Sparganium chlorocarpum = S. 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian emersum system modification systems standards

F - 152 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Spartina pectinata system modification systems standards 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish Lepidopteran Speyeria atlantis System/Habitat Stresses systems guidelines 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Speyeria atlantis 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection 1 Terrestrial Establish Lepidopteran Speyeria diana System/Habitat Stresses A.3.2 Mining and quarrying guidelines 1.2 Modification of 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish Invasive Species Speyeria diana vegetation species Control Guidelines 1.2 Modification of 8.2 Problematic native Speyeria diana vegetation species 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Speyeria diana 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection Establish fire objective of 1.1 Conversion and 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Speyeria idalia fragmentation suppression year 1.1 Conversion and 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran Speyeria idalia fragmentation suppression guidelines Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Speyeria idalia vegetation suppression year 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish Lepidopteran Speyeria idalia vegetation suppression guidelines Establish fire objective of 1.2 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Speyeria idalia vegetation succession year 5.1.2 Collection of Establish guidelines for Speyeria idalia 3.1.2 Persecution mortality terrestrial animals overcollection 3.6 Isolation of 7 Modification of natural Speyeria idalia metapopulations systems 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Sphagnum russowii system modification systems standards Establish management strategy for climate change incl land 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired Sphyrapicus varius vegetation Weather conditions 8.2 Problematic native Spilogale putorius 3.3.2 Predation species 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Spiranthes lucida system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Spiranthes ochroleuca vegetation structure suppression year 1.3.1 Limited existing distribution of 7 Modification of natural Sporobolus neglectus system/habitat systems Stygobromus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves gracilipes System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Stygobromus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves gracilipes System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus hoffmani System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 153

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus hoffmani System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands Stygobromus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves morrisoni System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Stygobromus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves morrisoni System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus mundus System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus mundus System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus sp. 7 System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves Stygobromus sp. 7 System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Stygobromus sp. 7 System/Habitat Stresses systems standards Stygobromus sp. nov. 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Stygobromus sp. nov. system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Sylvilagus obscurus vegetation structure succession year Utilize timber harvest to create early successional habitat, 1.2.1 Modification of 7.33 Lack of disturbance; annual harvest of 1,800 - Sylvilagus obscurus vegetation structure succession 3,000 acres 1.2.1 Modification of Sylvilagus obscurus vegetation structure A.2 Agriculture 7 Modification of natural Sylvilagus obscurus 3.3.1 Competition systems Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Symphoricarpos albus vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Taenidia montana vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Thuja occidentalis vegetation structure suppression year 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Triadenum fraseri system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Triantha racemosa system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Trichostema setaceum vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Trifolium virginicum vegetation structure suppression year Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Trillium pusillum var. 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired virginianum vegetation Weather conditions

F - 154 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT

Species Name Stress Threat Management Strategies Trillium pusillum var. 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian virginianum system modification systems standards 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for species Triodopsis picea System/Habitat Stresses A Highly modified land uses occurrence 1.2 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire Establish guidelines for species Triodopsis picea vegetation suppression occurrence Continue air resource management activities to 3 Species Population reduce impacts of acid Triodopsis picea Stresses 9.5.1 Acid deposition deposition Establish guidelines for Triodopsis picea 3.1.1 Accidental mortality 6.1 Recreational activities recreation traffic 3.3 Interspecific 8.1 Non-native invasive Triodopsis picea interactions species Triphora trianthophora 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown Establish management strategy for climate change incl land Troglodytes 1.2 Modification of 11 Climate Change and allocation, obj and desired troglodytes vegetation Weather conditions Vaccinium 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian macrocarpon system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Verbena scabra system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Veronica scutellata system modification systems standards 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Viburnum lentago system modification systems standards Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Vicia americana vegetation structure suppression year Establish fire objective of 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Viola pedatifida vegetation structure suppression year Virginia valeriae pulchra 0 None or Unknown 0 None or Unknown 2.5 Aquatic/Riparian 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Vitis rupestris system modification systems standards 2 Aquatic System/Habitat 7 Modification of natural Utilize Jefferson riparian Woodwardia virginica Stresses systems standards Zigadenus elegans Establish fire objective of ssp. glaucus = 1.2.1 Modification of 7.1 Fire and fire 12,000 to 20,000 acres per Anticlea glauca vegetation structure suppression year Zygonopus weyeriensis 0.3 Unknown 0.2 Unknown Zygonopus 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves weyeriensis System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands Zygonopus 1 Terrestrial 7 Modification of natural Establish guidelines for caves weyeriensis System/Habitat Stresses systems and karstlands 1 Terrestrial Establish guidelines for caves Zygonopus whitei System/Habitat Stresses 6.1 Recreational activities and karstlands 1 Terrestrial 8.1 Non-native invasive Establish guidelines for caves Zygonopus whitei System/Habitat Stresses species and karstlands

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT F - 155

APPENDIX F3 – SPECIES DIVERSITY REPORT GEORGE WASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST

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F - 156 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT